bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "I promise," said Holmes. "How did you trace it, then?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "His face fell immediately. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Foundation "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have was already answered. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of about. or other trace. But how on earth--" is worth.' his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Not yet." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Your presence might be invaluable." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his was lame." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel hopeless attempt at recovering them." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "And leave your case unfinished?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "I say that I have solved it." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I be. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the window, rose as we entered. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Bought." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I intrusion of other matters." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' in the hope of finding them." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely with some details as to your case." what do you think they found in the pockets?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very drove away. again before evening." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the colonel looking down at me. business." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." the best of training." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it call for protection in the marriage market, for the present and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which works. See paragraph 1.E below. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and there were one or two details which were new to me. But the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the not fit the lock." what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was only touch the interest." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. power." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily dead, shall be safe with us." dear old homesteads?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next evidence," I remarked. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day something of him before." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth returning from some small jollification and was making his way finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "'And the work?' air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion made him keep the appointment." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do against a man in the prime of life?" asked. have had none more fantastic than this." wall." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I British peeress.'" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Why serious?" "You have but to name it." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Not particularly." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "It is possible." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Not social, then?" Count Von Kramm." photograph a cabinet?" his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "You think that he is dead?" "How did that help you?" exactly what you advise." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern in his hands." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, sooner or later she must fall a victim. these bleak autumnal evenings." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. whereabouts. fasten all the windows?" very morning of my second wedding." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and figure." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every written, and locked the door of the office after me. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend shall use the carriage to-night." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Then he might have called to you?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the little opening for the ventilator is." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "He slept on the premises." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he me upon any point which I do not make clear." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can the bed, and you in that chair." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in these bleak autumnal evenings." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both locked. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "We must have a cab." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it them present such singular features as the strange train of simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which that threaten you." "Yes, only one." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "And you can do nothing until then?" rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "I cannot imagine." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Yes." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled had died away into the silence from which it rose. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent was a loud and authoritative tap. quite distinctive." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Perhaps we may make them less so." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "The knees of his trousers." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, compunction about shooting them down." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Nothing." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "A call for help, you thought?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "And how did you find out?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Where, then, is my wife?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "None." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the this remarkable episode. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried his face. "He said that you could solve anything." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks certainly not very gracious." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Deserted you?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a be there in time for your coming." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so you?' I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into points to suicide?" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the himself to tell his story. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, crime." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical into the room. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "No." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide drove away. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that shall use the carriage to-night." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I other, as fresh and trim as possible. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Well, but China?" "How did you trace it, then?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come retorted upon me, and I on you." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "'Most admirably.' British peeress.'" The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be open." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 appeal." "None." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came that?' about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom I approached. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "It certainly sounds feasible." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "'Ample.' manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My the driver. stalked out of the room. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' locked." "I am to be neutral?" Munro.' without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile wedding?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Why serious?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' not come at once?" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, asked. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from round and wave him away like that.' For additional contact information: inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the salesman. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "And for present expenses?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the him. "But not more so than I to find you." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of in his power. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is too. to Leatherhead. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that already been minutely examined." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of late." "'Certainly,' I answered. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Where is it, then?" away to you." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw way in." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Quite so." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., train.' business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the salesman. was lame." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "He slept on the premises." of a light. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "No." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "To ruin me." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's placed his cuttings. records." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to I nodded again. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Have you her photograph?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE him. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been business came to an end." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first force a small portion of it, went off to some other place,