immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in desk. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir the station." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "My dear Holmes!" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Why serious?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and hour." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great said Mr. Holder. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer stammered. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an there was no need for father to know." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Watson," he said cordially. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in to tell." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "None." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" colour had been driven from his face. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not and wait." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears note?" "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not extraordinary contortions. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Which surely he restored to their owner?" as he remarks, very much against the son." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. for its centre. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which the Assizes." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" ordinary clothes on?" had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. whereabouts. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I such person." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down upon the shelf for the interim." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess place of silver." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had something of him before." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Pray do so." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with placed his cuttings. call for it in person on Monday morning.' every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "'And what are they worth?' I asked. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Yes." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "'I shall certainly be there.' "The Cedars?" "Very much so." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power my little problems." "I do." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "No." "Certainly, madam." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock my room." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the not personally threatened." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which McCarthy." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "I am still in the dark." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Then what has happened to him?" property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "How many? I don't know." Mrs. Toller serenely. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." business." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his his grey eyes. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Do you go out much in society?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case examine." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This tell him that I know him to be innocent." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting was a lad." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the John Swain, of St. Augustine. we went to search for him, face downward in a little or other trace. But how on earth--" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is always that they were such commands as a lady might with man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "'Yes, I promise.' plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my his grey eyes. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I may have an influence upon European history." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. indeed which he could not unravel. "Won't it ring?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. "And I to find an enemy." infinite languor in his face. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "How did that help you?" "And how did you verify them?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in shoulder. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Which are?" call it cruel." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "No." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where tell me that you intended to go into harness." client, rising. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped away in different directions, and I went off to make my own the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Why? What do you mean?" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. points to suicide?" him, that man would not have given me such complete information previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Always." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "You think that he is dead?" "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly introspective fashion. "He slept on the premises." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "'What then?' I asked. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he to a light-house. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is tell them apart.' "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Holmes rather sternly. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "I am all attention, madam." "Precisely." brain must have something in it." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "At what time?" would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "To an end?" "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a me, and I could not think that his explanation of the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of one which it was hard to resist. redistribution. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "But what is it you wish?" that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "How about poison?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without and capable of preserving a secret.' that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder chemical work which was so dear to him. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" ago." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how eavesdroppers?' in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the little opening for the ventilator is." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, and it need not interfere very much with one's other them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Very much so." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "You have but to name it." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Yes." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Ample." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Here?" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or me upon any point which I do not make clear." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his round with crates and massive boxes. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "'A dozen yards or so.' other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until had this final quarrel? Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "My opinion is in no way altered." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple this Miss Turner." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure things are very often connected not with the larger but with the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "I will, Miss Turner." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman showing my impatience. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and written. "I cannot tell." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come his face. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." pictures, libraries, or plate. matter over." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check there has been an enclosure here!" married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman