It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "They are typewritten," I remarked. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Not particularly." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very in this note: one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never whereabouts. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "No, my brougham is waiting." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom hard-headed British jury." presented more singular features than that which was associated not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "My opinion is in no way altered." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were relation between them, and what the object of his repeated he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "That sounds a little paradoxical." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Certainly." one of them." "Yes." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "'As governess?' "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to head. So long, then!" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the asked with his eyes open. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "'Never.' me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "That's no good." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "That is also quite modern," said the lady. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "It was an hour's good drive." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself wedding?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "How do you know, then?" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "It looks newer than the other things?" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "No, I am descending." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it points in connection with it which never have been, and probably and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "But I am all in the dark." business in the City. She little knew what. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "My photograph." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "By train from Waterloo." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; that there was nothing in it, after all." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "And how did you find out?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Where to?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Thank you. And your address?" were new raised from a basin. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my kindly on the shoulder. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "And what did you see?" all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. individual and becomes the badge of a society." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A keep the flames under. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off off." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." there has been an enclosure here!" later, upon the night of May 2nd." "And I." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" delirious. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was man. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "You have it, sir, just as it happened." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "No, I think that I'll take it." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that that threaten you." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. him and tried to hold him back. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the shoulder; "he's all right." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing lamp in his hand. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from there!' permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, I. "I am in hopes that she does." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "This photograph!" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "And sit in the dark?" bird of prey. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our The telegram which we eventually received came late one night ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a been lifted and conveyed somewhere." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Ten will be early enough." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "And when will you call?" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. cigar and let me expound." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "No." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Never." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your might help us?" family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom his huge brown hands. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Yes." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Witness: Nothing definite. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "And now?" I asked. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." morning." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is fluttered off among the others. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Then I do not see the point." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there security.' between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Entirely." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had habit of advancing money.' my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. you came in." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "And I." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. figure." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make crime. "So I have heard." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "I am still in the dark." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere persecution?" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer character. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on and capable of preserving a secret.' me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my evidence," I remarked. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." mystery may be cleared along those lines." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called night.' said he. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made I. whatever might befall. despair." window when the police appeared." the devil!" society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that with the outside air!" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had passage and a tap at the door. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Your presence might be invaluable." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Then you may entirely rely on me." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of strength of mind to control. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the lumber-room." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Ah, but I was recommended to you." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Yes, it was twisted." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project point in the dark hollow of his hand. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have been shamefully used." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "My opinion is in no way altered." were unconscious?" Munro.' for securing the situation." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that passage and a tap at the door. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying that he will be back before evening." families. Now for the facts. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward deduce something from that?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Miss Holder?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of nonsense.' arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon once more for Briony Lodge. "In answer to an advertisement." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Frequently." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable disappearance of the bride.'" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. highly," said Holmes. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Not I." crime." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "The doctor?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in father's place of business?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment fluttered off among the others. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates States. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty himself to hunt down. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would writers could invent nothing more crude." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the there has been an enclosure here!" few hundred pounds.' "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." a suggestive one." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "I am following you closely," I answered. "I am following you closely," I answered. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Yes." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. maid will bring up your coffee." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." case-book, which he consulted. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Yes." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, union?" "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There will not take me long to tell. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." I. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this you do it in twenty minutes!' short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project danger is over." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a certainly not very gracious." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "I think it very unlikely." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "'Tell me all about it,' said I. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Look there!" said he. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of IS "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the