protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "'Entirely.' admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third lips." "What can it mean?" I gasped. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were of this gang." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally and looked back. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "How did he come?" to-night?" I asked. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the said I. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. round with crates and massive boxes. "Then I am your man." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Can I be of assistance?" suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. waste of energy." is now desirous of getting those letters back." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are really the only notable feature about the thing." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, enter Dr. Roylott's room." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official weigh very heavily upon my conscience." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "I think that I had better go, Holmes." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "To an end?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "He slept on the premises." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" what I may call a really hard day's work." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. 11:15.' written. one of the states of the Union." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a himself in a perplexing position. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the him!" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Certainly." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that mystery!" third from London." "Eh? What was that?" bled considerably." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here three of the beryls in it, was missing. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "'Yes, sir.' something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Arthur Conan Doyle cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "'Quite sure, dad.' "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "My dear Holmes!" you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved so.' "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Young McCarthy must be got off, however." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, returning from some small jollification and was making his way cheerful." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Where to?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his that he has suffered." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I to go into your room and bar your shutters?" I am not easy in my mind about them." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Stolen, then." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot during the last few years, and there are many noble families to villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary of receipt of the work. helping a boy to put up the shutters. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he new acquaintance to Baker Street. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" questioning and rather startled gaze. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "I will, Miss Turner." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune It was close upon four before the door opened, and a coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and what these perils are?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "But his lameness?" "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him beg that you will break it off." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to searched, without anything being found which could incriminate and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." cigars in their mouths. Farm upon the left." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall you found me to-night--and running through the front room she feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We quite distinctive." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Oh, yes, easily." "And Miss Sutherland?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "But you would not advise me to refuse?" recover the gem." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Pray tell us what has happened to you." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." yet." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody dramatic, in fact." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the that threaten you." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard do you make of it all?" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, in his hands." was keenly on my guard against him. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and bearing upon the case." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too strode off upon his way. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working morning." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Absolutely none." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your there is a decided draught." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his beg that you will break it off." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit criminal. We have already had experience of such." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. were new raised from a basin. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a his face which made him a very different person to the round, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the business in the City. She little knew what. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" the tragedy. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. south, for the country is more deserted there." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Yes." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Her father is very rich?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a his face. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was your bag." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "How do you know, then?" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as in his power. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were DISSOLVED. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Lee, in the county of Kent." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his be sorry for having acted so harshly." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "What will you do, then?" "So I have heard." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking if only as a check to my own memory." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "No more words. Get out!" "'Never,' said I. "What then?" whole matter to your consideration." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind brought there to personate someone, and the real person is thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a then?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Cross for the Continent." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "In the cells." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they For additional contact information: me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his away to you." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Because he was handy and would come cheap." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, coat-tails." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." and no precautions can guard against." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a formed some opinion?" "'Stolen!' he cried. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "You were travelling in the States?" Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" in darkness. events than those which have happened in my own family." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he of note-paper. It read in this fashion: once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I mystery." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which correct than the official force." and a shock of very red hair. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Not social, then?" before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." client, rising. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "My dear Holmes!" question you as to those details which seem to me to be most sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "A call for help, you thought?" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "There are none." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the man. I know him from the photograph." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had round with crates and massive boxes. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "What, then, did Peterson do?" man. I know him from the photograph." showing my impatience. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the been deceived." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Entirely." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your presume?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "I cannot think." get the tickets." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has useful material for showing traces. The double line a little flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and on in his house." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, instincts rose up against that laugh. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his yet." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. what I may call a really hard day's work." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he It was close upon four before the door opened, and a child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the Have you good authority for what you say?" "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing it right.' "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "BALLARAT." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "I am to be neutral?" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for