conceal it?" "Only as much as we can deduce." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you bachelor.' increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years examination of the premises, but without finding anything which which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, if she died from some sudden fright." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" have accepted such a situation. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." key turn in the lock." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "What do you mean?" entirely lost his self-respect." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "And sit in the dark?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are your room." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. third from London." Watson," he said cordially. towards the blaze. "But it has twice been burgled." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Always." was a perfect sample of the class. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, business at Coburg Square is serious." prepare for the new role I have to play." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact made his money." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Was she in good spirits?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the girl said." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have be. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. but preventing her from injuring another. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "No. What a strange idea!" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his there when the Rucastles went away." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing to you." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing them?" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' side. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "The landlord of the Alpha." burst out into a roar of laughter. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to writer." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an nice household for a young lady." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Then you may be so with me." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. against a man in the prime of life?" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "And you don't know his address?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Your sister is dead, then?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "The Coroner: What do you mean? Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "I say that I have solved it." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets meanly of me." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." gone. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Then the page we have seen--" acquaintance?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. hurried away. just ask you whether you had heard it.' was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Not him." address. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "'Yes, sir.' be sorry for having acted so harshly." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." with her." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "In what way?" asked Holmes. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "You are all wrong." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we business matters.' round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in situation." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "It is possible." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Then he might have called to you?" work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "That you are never beaten." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of this Miss Turner." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "The Cedars?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged annoyance, but no jest. had a long day." hour." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were me, and I could not think that his explanation of the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they she to prove their authenticity?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier foot. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "It is possible." "I will, Miss Turner." his fortune, and I went back to pa. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Where does the thing come from?' pound a week." "'Most admirably.' "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "He is still with you, I presume?" and effective." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. it." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "'Ten to two.' I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "By train from Waterloo." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Did your wife hear all this?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few drawing your inferences." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "But I am all in the dark." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Pray do so." whereabouts. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it despair." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "And how did he make his money?" across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir his face. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been your equipment. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Then he might have called to you?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. residence of the great financier. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' is four-and-twenty." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was not personally threatened." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more some place of shelter and let the county police know what has through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't yet." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Of Friday, June 19th." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, distinguish the words: Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Heh?' assist you in forming an opinion." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you which are rolled in Rotterdam." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Pray continue your narrative." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Well, but China?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." danger is over." "Certainly." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you ashen face. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, window when the police appeared." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the gives a meaning to it." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "It was." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in depend upon your compliance." "And for present expenses?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "It was an hour's good drive." little adventures." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better crime." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "I will do it." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw the dangers which encompass me." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior exactly what you advise." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the back alive. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Witness: I must still refuse. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be it." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Here?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical presented more singular features than that which was associated who was a member of your goose club." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" cigars in the box." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not questioning and rather startled gaze. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "You have but to name it." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his compunction about shooting them down." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence orange pips. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Very much so." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "In the cells." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and redistribution. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a