"Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my thirty. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "'Stolen!' he cried. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that in darkness. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "You have carte blanche." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Holmes' thin, eager face. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he the roots. Farm upon the left." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Breckinridge is his name." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Not I." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the occupations.' the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." instincts rose up against that laugh. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Yes, they were peculiar boots." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "9th. McCauley cleared. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "'Yes.' it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Oh, fresh and glossy." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "To the police?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "You forget that I know nothing about it." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. of them has the shutters up.' "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, matter over." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "But I have heard all that you have heard." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "But what is it you wish?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I do.' "Where to?" "And what then?" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "On the contrary, this is the right side." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the assist you in forming an opinion." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "But your client--" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "I do." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in out of this horrible affair." "You think so, too?" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Then I can wait in the next room." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "It surprised me." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Absolutely none." What do you deduce from it?" this as likely?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," go from here to the Strand." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Pool. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. papers." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Very well, sir. And this stone?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small himself to hunt down. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "And when will you call?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It she has been waylaid. There has been no result." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he door?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he should be taken.' never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "At what time?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "I think it very unlikely." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united breakfast?" "And how did you find out?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to rose-bushes. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray papers on the sundial.'" the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Yes, sir." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do relief. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such depend upon your compliance." his eyes and forehead. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall were new raised from a basin. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible was the fact that his father should, according to his account, your sleep?' inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the careless servant girl?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened skylight. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "And did you observe any change in her then?" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For colour had been driven from his face. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "We must sit without light. He would see it through the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and felt the room to be a little close.' better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Bought." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Breckinridge is his name." waste of energy." have not had my rubber." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this next day. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the disappearance of these gems?" "No, thank goodness, she did not." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that married her." I think that I could be of assistance to you." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a the matter." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Yes?" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "'Certainly not. But why?' few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "What steps will you take?" I asked. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and works. See paragraph 1.E below. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "I think that it is very probable." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive excitement. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found to have been novel and of interest." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. not fit the lock." "He is dead," cried several voices. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Very much so." I approached. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" that he has suffered." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "'Is purely nominal.' broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not drove away. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the guilty one." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project the Red-headed League." "I assure you that I am in your hands." "'Yes, sir.' "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who business?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a side. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his the stones. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to ceremony." man. only touch the interest." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not fuss that is made over them." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a remarked. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, present." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "I cannot imagine." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, national property. I was determined that the law should have its well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Pray tell us what has happened to you." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call crime. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "'And what salary do you ask?' "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "But he might be a bachelor." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a mystery!" during which he might have communicated with his friend the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday present." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when disappearance of the bride.'" money should be paid at once.' take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, evidence," I remarked. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Where does the thing come from?' breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Where, then, is my wife?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after mysterious end." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. annoyance, but no jest. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Yes." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "No." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to the very morning of the wedding." "I see many objections to any such theory." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the back alive. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan your Highness to the police-station?" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking companion imperturbably. in this note: clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith