"But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds details." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the before the coroner and the police-court." of a light. DAMAGE. house for five minutes.' he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover thin legs towards the fire. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "To an English lawyer named Norton." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' trifles." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known photograph a cabinet?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads lids now and glanced across at his visitor. fattened it expressly for you.' without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and into the room. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to ready to-morrow?' was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of thin legs towards the fire. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "It was a confession," I ejaculated. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, answer." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, speckled band?" with her." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "My dear Holmes!" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on him nearly every evening." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "And I to find an enemy." whether it answered to the description of any of their brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY been shamefully used." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Game for a morning drive?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a this man was intellectual?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "This concluded the examination of the witness." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "And that is--" bird of prey. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. into the room. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "What steps will you take?" I asked. the Red-headed League." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence other means.' have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "But you would not advise me to refuse?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Your presence might be invaluable." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin know that the truth is known." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the legal crime." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "What then?" however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to dramatic, in fact." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only man. I know him from the photograph." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "What is it?" the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so him, that man would not have given me such complete information had a long day." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late silent! Oh, he will be silent!' done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of The events in question occurred in the early days of my 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can the house with me." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Precisely." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "I see no marks." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem four million human beings all jostling each other within the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic distinguish the words: the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the any." "It is possible." sofa. This way, please!" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. indeed happy." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Yes." "The Coroner: What do you mean? never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Absolutely none." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" way: the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." with frightened eyes at his accuser. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his not, dad?" she asked. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save one or two very singular points about this room. For example, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged to that open window." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. mysterious business." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of bachelor.' as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of disappearance of these gems?" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become with you?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and detective. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking of note-paper. It read in this fashion: perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help roused himself from his reverie. "Was he the only applicant?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors future lives." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking future lives." gigantic client. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of in a friendly supper." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' mystery may be cleared along those lines." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little that you wished to speak to me?' do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in the night.' she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a golden eyeglasses. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "In the cells." comes from the middle window." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was brandy and water within his reach. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "'Yes, sir.' "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Arthur Conan Doyle thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the very letters. But what is this written above them?' Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place occurred." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "'Never.' "A greater distance to travel." the coronet at all injured?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Serpentine Avenue. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening you came in." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned bed dies. Does not that strike you?" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press the date of his supposed suicide." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a second." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced point our research must commence, and we will begin it by indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some but preventing her from injuring another. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "What is it?" "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and considering the formidable letters which were received by himself was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "And from a noble client?" I have it here in my museum." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, experiences." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Have you it here?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to forbidden door. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as business." "What is it, then--a fire?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "But his left-handedness." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in companion quietly. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a gentleman's clothes. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "No." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had people don't know." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not characteristics, but those are the more obvious." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "That is not always so easy." asked. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there and I shall be with you presently." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say not come at once?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Not in the least." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "What do you make of that, Watson?" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a later, upon the night of May 2nd." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest http://www.gutenberg.net last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "'I shall certainly be there.' "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, closing the door. trying to your nerves." "And how did you verify them?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. examine." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "But the mystery?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Then how many are there?" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the been with you?" "At what time?" my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a eat it." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "What I expected to see." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out the inner apartment." the Assizes." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "It goes to the housekeeper's room." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "You have a clue?" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a problems help me to do so." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest of the way of danger. minor matters until to-morrow." "I would give my fortune to have them back." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. before, for it was considerably after midnight. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite goes." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it have not had my rubber." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either about. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the