adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced certainly do as you advise." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." are, and they are waiting for us." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this unprofitable." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "And for present expenses?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Not in a good cause." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this you understand?" delighted to hear it," he said. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable important." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "No legal papers or certificates?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and asked. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but threw himself down with his face to the pillow. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "The doctor?" the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I have an American origin." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good closely." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "I cannot as yet see any connection." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." the side-table." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." bird of prey. "That is not always so easy." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It if she died from some sudden fright." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which went to the Alpha were town bred." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a the inquest, and which are worth considering." lips." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many other, as fresh and trim as possible. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Pray do so." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the has little to do with my story." 1.F. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "I will not look." "But your client--" if I call to-morrow?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we is a common subject for conversation. presented more singular features than that which was associated I shall communicate with you." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the armchair which I pushed forward for him. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he Lestrade of Scotland Yard." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Yes." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "I shall be delighted." strength." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my which our visitor detailed to us. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "I say that I have solved it." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was detained." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very them present such singular features as the strange train of "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the child." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only humiliation." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. morning." What do you deduce from it?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "It was an hour's good drive." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "You will not go there first?" "And for present expenses?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." really the only notable feature about the thing." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in said I. enough to aid us in our search." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Did he not advertise?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then status with the IRS. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the the night.' possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Ha! you find it so?" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the despaired of." breakfast?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a of it with the greatest attention. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar residence of the great financier. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. morning." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on DISSOLVED. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and seem to you to be relevant or not." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Why, what do you mean?" thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a crime. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly next day. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "And it is--" "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our within hail.' There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Eyford." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "My dear Holmes!" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I you." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see details should find their way into the papers. Inspector stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "But how could you guess what the motive was?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for out of this horrible affair." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. ran thus: present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Yes." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, which our visitor detailed to us. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "At what time?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, yards of it?' struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Where did you address your letters, then?" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, writing, and yet I know it well." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful has little to do with my story." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Street. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the pierced for earrings?" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where had picked up in the wood. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Did your wife hear all this?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be spark where all is dark to me." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Leave Paddington by the 11:15." light and attacked it." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." cigars in the box." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal joking. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, the Assizes." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Here?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "A confidential servant?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again must compliment you." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Could he throw no light?" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the done what I asked you, Jones?" manager. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his is four-and-twenty." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned present." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "And how did you verify them?" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Never." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be the south-west, I see." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. chance." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of examine." "Your sister is dead, then?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Was your sister dressed?" will find little credit to be gained out of this case." sparkled upon his finger. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "I am armed." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "What do you make of that, Watson?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a your sleep?' hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the of this gang." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate of." Foundation "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that horse could go." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. pressing in one house as in another. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. take the flies, but not before." for its centre. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to nothing with him." the driver. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then of them has the shutters up.' the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through there in twenty minutes." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had in the dead of the night?' him, that man would not have given me such complete information during the last few years, and there are many noble families to have got?" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "What then?" purpose equally well?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client not within a twentieth part of the market price." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Sutherland?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. a very grave face. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful wedding?" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room,