without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Nearly eleven." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have the armchair which I pushed forward for him. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might upon the white wrist. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white front of the hall door has given its name to the place. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little several quiet little villages up there." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. fashion which was peculiar to him. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, stepfather?" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" directly by questioning you." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, in one or two places in England?' call the police, let the police find what they can.' ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "The decline of his fortunes, then?" already referred to. "On your arm?" his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that roused himself from his reverie. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord for and were ordered to this address. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in hour." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, vault. outside. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light three of the beryls in it, was missing. "I cannot as yet see any connection." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock have established a very serious case against the son of the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly again before evening." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "That's no good." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but went to the Alpha were town bred." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice are, and they are waiting for us." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the outbreak?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "What do you make of that, Watson?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar mystery." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in question," said Holmes, smiling. followed. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he fact, we may call it conclusive." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "I will, Miss Turner." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and such attractions and accomplishments?' "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Holmes, the busybody!" sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an this Miss Turner." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, least a most suspicious remark." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and retorted upon me, and I on you." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND ready to-morrow?' her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "And how in the world did you find them?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you nothing of it?" down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "We were both in the photograph." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Nothing?" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of to-night's adventure." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Leave Paddington by the 11:15." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "I cannot say that I have." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "If so, much may have happened between." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far the one as in the other." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. tapping his fingers upon the table. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, your troubles." and inquire as to the address." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." green of the new foliage. have an American origin." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Quite so." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the which are rolled in Rotterdam." "You think so, too?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which now. It seems that there had been some informality about their 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I open." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she indiscretion." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "But you have hopes?" "Never to return." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. your bag." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge 11:15.' your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Entirely." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole 'please.'" never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the cigars in their mouths. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Nothing?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" companion. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "But she will refuse." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "I shall be delighted." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's detective. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' garden below. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Her father is very rich?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, only touch the interest." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Yes, that is the Crown." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, get the tickets." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: door?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was stalked out of the room. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Why, it's a dummy," said he. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock The police have openly confessed that they can at present make my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of My friend smiled. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "I see many objections to any such theory." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted waste of energy." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "By no means." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but astonishment. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "'Certainly not.' I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more six. Come in!" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "No good news?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham things are very often connected not with the larger but with the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards anything to do with the matter?" questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Was your sister dressed?" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella not as remarkable as your advertisement." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg seen the man in the road." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "And you thought he was pulled back?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which at once, for I have only half an hour." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may door?" the south-west, I see." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and for and were ordered to this address. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been appointment with me for six o'clock?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of started for the Temple to see my husband. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin me what he had done with the three missing stones. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned thin legs towards the fire. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "An accident, I presume?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a was feeling which was the fattest.' test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "But he might be a bachelor." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she had this final quarrel? "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go himself to hunt down. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will business matters.' I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the the address that was given us in the advertisement. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the Red-headed League." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "And who is her maid?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, memory. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "No?" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon that he has suffered." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would heavy and sharp instrument." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "But what harm can there be in that?" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "BALLARAT." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you have one." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he the coronet in his hand?"