"You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that wedding?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full guilty parties." to a light-house. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a reach." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at is so. I know all about McCarthy." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as was keenly on my guard against him. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both forebodings. my former friend and companion. lost his Christmas dinner." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "But we can't all be." "Certainly." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Certainly." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in sufficient punishment." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than had a long day." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now washing it down with a long draught of water. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to trying to your nerves." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a this Miss Turner." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes where we are going." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a compunction about shooting them down." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third come either from the window or the door. My attention was Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Because he was handy and would come cheap." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "What do you make of that, Watson?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are other lovers by making love himself." "What I expected to see." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Get out!" said he. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to of the one which your family is now devouring." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed important." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main that threaten you." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the hour." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to of Mr. Rucastle's." arrangements." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." disappearance of these gems?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a and a shock of very red hair. hand, madam?" His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend good for you to do.' minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. DAMAGE. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "But you can know nothing of this?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock chambers. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. would then never go into court at all." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no both be extremely obliged.' master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. lost nothing by them." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Did he not advertise?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "I came to find a friend." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you upon the white wrist. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we before the coroner and the police-court." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the think, you have already met." the matter?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "I say that I have solved it." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "No good news?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are in a friendly supper." any more." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a not interfere, come what may. You understand?" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to I shall continue with my miserable story. "The murder was done with it." fishes. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as cause to be." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary sake, don't!" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "If so, much may have happened between." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with forbidden door. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. figure." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." province." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. to have that photograph." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to better grown goose." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "How are you getting on?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. sufficient punishment." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Bought." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no when you have done it." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I look upon these things in a different way." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to you." this unhappy family?" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford in his power. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Yes." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her I have it here in my museum." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "I am all attention, madam." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Ha! you find it so?" may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger you came in." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "'Quite sure, dad.' there when the Rucastles went away." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out any little problem which you may submit to me." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' pressing in one house as in another. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for corner of the building. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Precisely so. But how--" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "By no means." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. nothing with him." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "How long did she speak to this Alice?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of This is what he says: above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "And I to find an enemy." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." opportunities to fix the problem. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of some terrible trap for her." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full allusion to a rat. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "And it is--" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip fasten all the windows?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I this unhappy family?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then questioning and rather startled gaze. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery His smile broadened. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see way: "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "How are you getting on?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank is worth.' going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon redistribution. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you even so self-evident a thing as that." chair. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, indeed which he could not unravel. the warnings." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. the very morning of the wedding." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return orange pips. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Where, then, is my wife?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late she used." directly by questioning you." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical works. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "I fear not." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "What of this 'Cooee!' then?"