me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others burst out into a roar of laughter. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "How can you tell that?" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Bought." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Then the page we have seen--" family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Not I." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom cigars in their mouths. happened." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well had this final quarrel? the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon Stoke Moran." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What question. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since woman who has had her own way to make in the world. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "We have tried and failed." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round have got?" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate Pool. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Really! You surprise me." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "How do you know, then?" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. locked." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" our word." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "No, I am descending." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to extraordinary contortions. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Ha! you find it so?" "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "In the cells." "On your arm?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Where, indeed?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the his face which made him a very different person to the round, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining looking up at the numbers of the houses." "'Entirely.' the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "It is half-past ten now." man. I know him from the photograph." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then village inn over there?" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a as yours." there." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "You have the photograph?" of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That thin, with a long, sharp nose?" into the bag, and made for the door. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle anything to do with the matter?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." works. See paragraph 1.E below. rooms." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Was your sister dressed?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. hereditary King of Bohemia." in one or two places in England?' he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us fled together." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a views." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if extraordinary contortions. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "I am about to be married." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent developed." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but a little more before I quite committed myself. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised call you and give you the chance." "Stolen, then." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I next day. Foundation law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The and no precautions can guard against." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." developed." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Yes, there are nearly always some there." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning the little opening for the ventilator is." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, used to be." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "So I heard. You have him here?" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been do you make of it all?" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head morning." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Yes." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the get her out of the way." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the best of training." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, served to weaken the effect. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately side. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door happened." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not these bleak autumnal evenings." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles will be renamed. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. disappearance of the bride.'" and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'Never,' said I. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Indeed! Whose, then?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute the coroner come to?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "'Stolen!' he cried. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "I warn you that they are very incomplete." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel triumphant cloud from his cigarette. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Holmes, the busybody!" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Of Friday, June 19th." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our purpose of examination. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the have had none more fantastic than this." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third papers." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most assist you in forming an opinion." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "And did you observe any change in her then?" I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Then you may be so with me." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which the Assizes." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited business at Coburg Square is serious." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most started for the Temple to see my husband. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "No, distinctly professional." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is gigantic client. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking your Highness to the police-station?" "'Certainly not.' perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal I have it here in my museum." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my prove to be little relation between the different incidents of expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." where she found matters as described by the last witness. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was call you and give you the chance." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged maiden herself was most instructive." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw how narrow had been my escape. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Where did you address your letters, then?" of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Why, it's a dummy," said he. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "You have but to name it." "Certainly." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these lamp in his hand. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey unkempt, staring out at me. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Lee, in the county of Kent." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been wedding?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Clair, of Lee." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "'Yes.' suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "'Where to?' possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a are, and they are waiting for us." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." ago." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Arthur Conan Doyle although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over noting anything else of interest. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." next day. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly companion quietly. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Nothing." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the approach us with offers to donate. "I do." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. a little more before I quite committed myself. coat-tails." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. to a more successful conclusion." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the you." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "'Yes, I promise.' But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was case before our client came into the room." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by trifles." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Again Holmes raved in the air. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been page at http://pglaf.org "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right that before taking the final step I should like to submit the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias He broke the seal and glanced over the contents.