I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, or other trace. But how on earth--" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Who by?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the matters immensely." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture shall not find me ungrateful." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "'There is a drive, then?' Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "I was mad--insane." call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Well." if she died from some sudden fright." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward already been minutely examined." the coronet in his hands?" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah standing smiling on the door-step. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Watson," he said cordially. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates sofa. This way, please!" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "That's no good." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "And how?" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round interests were the same as his." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the appointment with me for six o'clock?" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Really! You surprise me." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." copied or distributed: It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "But it has twice been burgled." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Yes. He waved his hands." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and him to be an active member of the medical profession." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind point in the dark hollow of his hand. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle bill, which interests me deeply." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "It is very kind of you." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "But who is he?" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the that threaten you." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here was used.' "And that is--" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "And now?" He raised his hand. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I assure you that I am in your hands." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, the King without delay." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down individual and becomes the badge of a society." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Gutenberg-tm License. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and down from London to inquire more deeply into it." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat read over the extraordinary announcement. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in ill-usage at the hands of fortune. that there was nothing in it, after all." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" washing it down with a long draught of water. been deceived." vault. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Here?" furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Do you know him?" them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for you for a few hours?" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "And I say east," said my patient. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your was shining brightly. lectures into a series of tales." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the coronet at all injured?" from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Very truly yours, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my voice, changing her seat as requested. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his me have 200 pounds?' "And you don't know his address?" lost nothing by them." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." experiences." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin DAMAGE. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that business at Coburg Square is serious." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a was keenly on my guard against him. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "He is dead," cried several voices. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Get out!" said he. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "It is no ordinary one." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have have one." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey business." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we crime. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had in the hope of finding them." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest window when the police appeared." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that in your London, you will know that the office of the company is am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that copied or distributed: received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I their singular warning or token before them when starting upon beg that you will break it off." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "No. What a strange idea!" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Nothing." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at thirty. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "When did she vanish, then?" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the views." his face. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she make me his representative both with the servants and with the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" bird of prey. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "So it appears." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had new acquaintance to Baker Street. indiscretion." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of eavesdroppers?' dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice husband's writing, madam." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from indeed happy." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and he. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. imbecility!" he cried. whole matter to your consideration." in. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the have got?" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel stalked out of the room. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Have you it here?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "'Never.' late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day business." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, seen the man in the road." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Pray tell us what has happened to you." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "By no means." to you." the King without delay." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more long narrative. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a a little more before I quite committed myself. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "That is not always so easy." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill opened the door, and slipped through. there has been an enclosure here!" forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer works. See paragraph 1.E below. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before appeal." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "The Coroner: What do you mean? have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning present." until night should bring an explanation. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of possible that we could bring him back to her? printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found a very grave face. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Bought." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "That also I could fathom." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "'Yes, sir.' possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "'Is purely nominal.' home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had down from London to inquire more deeply into it." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "And why in hopes?" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "I cannot say that I have." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been village inn over there?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Has he come with you to-night?" out of this horrible affair." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Very much so." "And the murderer?" "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, power." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Sutherland. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the against a man in the prime of life?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, late!' suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a IS gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square of the way of danger. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I fishes. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client a good hundred miles off by now." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Why serious?" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from that, and I came down." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then papers on the sundial.'" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his there were so many in the whole country as were brought together young Openshaw's." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be of the way of danger. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Will you bet, then?" "Do you go out much in society?" "And leave your case unfinished?" from the brougham. Eyford at 11:15.' so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you