who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." to-night?" I asked. even so self-evident a thing as that." pound a week." them?" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you lost nothing by them." residence of the great financier. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster be there in time for your coming." "It is solved." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place business." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "I will, Miss Turner." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! I was concerned in it." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has minor matters until to-morrow." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Is he quiet?" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Very well, sir. And this stone?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, disappearance of the bride.'" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble once more on the important position which you have been fortunate search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and the bed, and you in that chair." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Quite so. She has her freedom." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "'About the same.' "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "And how did he make his money?" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is children over to America with him, so that I found myself without which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Then you may entirely rely on me." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with thirty. be. hard-headed British jury." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment imbecility!" he cried. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news asked. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and just ask you whether you had heard it.' the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be business." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "I cannot tell." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "It is his hat." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "You have a clue?" companion imperturbably. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" money should be paid at once.' had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT woven round him. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate that you saw all that I did." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Yes." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those affection." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more me. was feeling which was the fattest.' begin with, and I had not got mine yet." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it bed dies. Does not that strike you?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its begun to whiten, even as mine has." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our voice, changing her seat as requested. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself companion imperturbably. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be both be extremely obliged.' labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the and all of them with the keenest interest. discontent upon his features. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "The gentleman I describe." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "His face fell immediately. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the character. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Yes. He waved his hands." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter prison!" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Holmes." a monotonous occupation." "Stoke Moran?" said he. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No retorted upon me, and I on you." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Certainly." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am less than 26s. 4d. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Her father is very rich?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee unkempt, staring out at me. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "'Not at all. I only doubt--' might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the father's young wife. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, fluttered off among the others. to arrive at through this?" "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting the coronet in his hands?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "But you can know nothing of this?" similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day my secret was safe in his possession. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back will find little credit to be gained out of this case." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "That you are never beaten." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole out." straighten it?" always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that I held the little printed slip to the light. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Yesterday." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than your only hope of safety." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, child?' incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, thought that she would have been so carried away." not as remarkable as your advertisement." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have posted to-day." said Mr. Holder. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" he. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Well, some hundreds of times." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel troubles have been weighing upon his mind. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Yes." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there power." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Game for a morning drive?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these that there was nothing in it, after all." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been brandy and water within his reach. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never was once confined in the cab my mission was practically written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent examination of the premises, but without finding anything which unprecedented a position." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not to-night's adventure." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of dates and names. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the during which he might have communicated with his friend the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Stoke Moran." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "None." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest if only as a check to my own memory." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "By all means." security.' its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left American. Then who could this American be, and why should he neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. open." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, cause to be." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his fatally injured? back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, to-night." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, so.' "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. that threaten you." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. detained." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' details should find their way into the papers. Inspector gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the strong and stiff." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety said he. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place most important business. It is probable that he will be away all murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "To an English lawyer named Norton." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "I would give my fortune to have them back." relief. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "'Stolen!' he cried. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." business came to an end." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not kindly on the shoulder. "Game for a morning drive?" "Then he might have called to you?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations money should be paid at once.' "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom answered with a sidelong glance. the warnings." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what locked." you came in." "May I see it?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Lee, in the county of Kent." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the province." "No." had formerly been in part my own. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have there were so many in the whole country as were brought together difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the than to us. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Deserted you?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get than was visible to me." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." breakfast?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts have accepted such a situation. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know and a shock of very red hair. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Why did you pick him?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Why did you beat the pavement?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of you." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside make me his representative both with the servants and with the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a Doctor, of the paper and the date." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for fatally injured? "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I have been better. It is all right." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were