"Pray tell us what has happened to you." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. yet." happened." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Get out!" said he. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it washing it down with a long draught of water. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, plantation.' I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Texas, I think." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "The Coroner: What do you mean? to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "And I to find an enemy." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood disappearance of the bride.'" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "What, then?" very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." nice household for a young lady." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore to where he stood hid behind the curtain. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "That is unusual in a young girl." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "The vanishing of the lady." question. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be someone who had been in Australia." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm strength in the others." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found have established a very serious case against the son of the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Do you go out much in society?" outbreak?" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" read over the extraordinary announcement. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "'What would be the hours?' I asked. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, had formerly been in part my own. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and leave you to your papers for a little." "And it is--" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, breakfast." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the easy-going way." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying the Friday. Was it to be in church?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, shall not find me ungrateful." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "'Where could I find him?' It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of long narrative. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "I don't believe it." Where does the thing come from?' the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "I have hopes." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to lamp. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then upon the sideboard." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to to you." "How can you tell that?" "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "It's nothing of the kind." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "No, my brougham is waiting." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. more solid." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and burst out into a roar of laughter. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no there!' "What are they?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and of." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off charge against him will break down." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Yes." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it his fortune, and I went back to pa. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman what I may call a really hard day's work." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, opened the door, and slipped through. "Not I." "Very murderous indeed." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a highly," said Holmes. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "You forget that I know nothing about it." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "I saw her in conversation with her maid." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, soul! here is her carriage at the door." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' enough to aid us in our search." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting bill, which interests me deeply." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' way in." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "I would pay ten." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he voice, changing her seat as requested. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Well?" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It right! Sit down and let us talk it over." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there to-morrow." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "I saw her in conversation with her maid." the matter?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will face and glided from the room. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Precisely." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she burst out into a roar of laughter. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made chance." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "And on what day did he meet his death?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Yes." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, conduct the inquiry." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and room. "And why in hopes?" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on any." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Holmes' face clouded over. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! asked with his eyes open. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "One of his hands." asked. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate bell. Holmes whistled. for its centre. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "What is it, then--a fire?" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven salesman. south, for the country is more deserted there." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel the salesman. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss beg that you will break it off." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who points to suicide?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the general public were present, then?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "'Yes.' window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, as noiselessly as she had come. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Stolen." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you as he remarks, very much against the son." was it brought him the coronet? lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part followed. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, gentleman's clothes. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to joking. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this money should be paid at once.' observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and to-night?" I asked. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "And I to find an enemy." "What do you make of that, Watson?" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Eyford." and all of them with the keenest interest. south, for the country is more deserted there." tell them apart.' quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "'Yes, sir.' this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in was lame." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "I beg pardon." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Deserted you?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "And how have you succeeded?" "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master his wife has ceased to love him." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Nearly eleven." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. bill, which interests me deeply." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in hand, madam?" find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. closing the door. writing, and yet I know it well." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. detective. "He said too much." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a conclusions. to a light-house. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions the matter." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "I guessed as much." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which south, for the country is more deserted there." from the brougham. "And did you observe any change in her then?" gone. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "How on earth--" leave you to your papers for a little." nights." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought written. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the for and were ordered to this address. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant walking." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had me. You must get home instantly and act." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most again, where I was soon asleep. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "If so, much may have happened between." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at even so self-evident a thing as that." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside yards of it?' here and I will read it to you: over his head with a sweet womanly caress. both be extremely obliged.' quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then