intrusion of other matters." to you." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and himself to tell his story. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite forbidden door. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried developed." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? conceal it?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than stood on the top of it. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Never to return." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "'Very good.' so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "I don't believe it." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Yes, it was twisted." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Yes, certainly." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Thank you. Pray proceed." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered photograph?" "And what did you see?" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have to his chemical studies. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite is," said he presently: him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "And you can do nothing until then?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for my special province." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Do you go out much in society?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, was a lad." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a brandy and water within his reach. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, them?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps upon the sideboard." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us least a most suspicious remark." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from lamp. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the girl said." ordinary clothes on?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to bird of prey. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently begin with, and I had not got mine yet." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns it? Did I buy the geese off you?" present." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of when your master had gone out." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "I am all attention, madam." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Nothing?" III. "Your sister is dead, then?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "'And the work?' prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the call you and give you the chance." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and papers on the sundial.'" refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as against a man in the prime of life?" "I cannot imagine." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has a good hundred miles off by now." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "It is possible." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Certainly, madam." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw or other trace. But how on earth--" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you photograph?" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. said I. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off would then never go into court at all." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the grasp, he hurried from the room. least a most suspicious remark." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off way in everything. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was sneer upon his pale face. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Was she in good spirits?" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet happened." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may written, and locked the door of the office after me. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of the matter." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" the so-precious time, but come!' that you saw all that I did." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned business." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Why did you beat the pavement?" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "A confidential servant?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the new duties?' in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir with her." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." to affect your life." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "No more words. Get out!" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my right! Sit down and let us talk it over." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "And Irene Adler?" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into records." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "The landlord of the Alpha." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." eavesdroppers?' the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it him!" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Yes." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Here?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "I will get her to show me." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "On the contrary, this is the right side." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged there!' "In the cells." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we and capable of preserving a secret.' her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Yes." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad points to suicide?" entirely lost his self-respect." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. excitement. Mrs. Toller serenely. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for this truth that in these little records of our cases which you remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew he died? tension within him. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Edgeware Road. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a triumphant cloud from his cigarette. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in interest. They are important, you understand, without being presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, other, as fresh and trim as possible. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. and effective." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul way: another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "I cannot say that I have." all-comprehensive glances. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Yes." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed me. matter over." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "No." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a was not a bird to be seen there. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "No bad?" any." mystery." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "The decline of his fortunes, then?" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the laugh and put his lips to my ear. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He again." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "'What, the red-headed man?' stalked out of the room. "And how have you succeeded?" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his charge against him will break down." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. I held the little printed slip to the light. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are had picked up in the wood. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife meant." waste of energy." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you occurred." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Lee, in the county of Kent." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all touch that coronet?' "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is call you and give you the chance." time." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little the room while you explain this matter?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "No. What a strange idea!" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a tell them apart.' Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Bought." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Stoke Moran?" said he. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right made his money." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." I was concerned in it." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers awaited us upon the table. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Yes. He waved his hands." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Yes. He waved his hands." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "But the mystery?" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such your billet.' hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "I have my revolver," said I. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Why, what do you mean?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow in my life." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my outbreak?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come when you have done it." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back wedding?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was