Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the past. 1.E.9. "'There is a drive, then?' I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as new duties?' singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly as he folded up the epistle. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right light and attacked it." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at imbecility!" he cried. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he read over the extraordinary announcement. "How did that help you?" weary and pale-looking. "It surprised me." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Yes, sir." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. here and I will read it to you: The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would writing, and yet I know it well." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's was a perfect sample of the class. my special province." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after companion imperturbably. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his and inquire as to the address." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "'Certainly,' I answered. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he was already answered. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution is acting for the best. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Yes." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "And you can do nothing until then?" here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "It's nothing of the kind." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as formed some opinion?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is married her." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the article?" beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "I have solved it." fled together." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further case-book, which he consulted. what do you think they found in the pockets?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "One?" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Certainly." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and all-comprehensive glances. "But how will you look?" problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. someone who had been in Australia." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon for and were ordered to this address. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "That is unusual in a young girl." disturbance in my wife." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you are, and they are waiting for us." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "'Very good.' have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, for its centre. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "I answered that I had not. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." neither fascinating nor artistic." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away people in all walks of life. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. bled considerably." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" against a man in the prime of life?" breakfast?" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and go from here to the Strand." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." me. You must get home instantly and act." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the running down." cheerful." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen to me. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, plantation.' had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that train.' "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There was feeling which was the fattest.' brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" national property. I was determined that the law should have its something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "That you are never beaten." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Literary Archive Foundation "The doctor?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Yes, at the mines." with you alone." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from with you alone." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney for the market.' either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Of what day?" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his and glanced through. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk tapping his fingers upon the table. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be to-night." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "'A dozen yards or so.' cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "'In my own bureau.' and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. for its centre. time." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall dates and names. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "10th. John Swain cleared. said he. until night should bring an explanation. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of man. I know him from the photograph." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main children over to America with him, so that I found myself without hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" case-book, which he consulted. heavily into it. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. the south-west, I see." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation into the room. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Just look it up, then." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad second." system of imprisonment?" paper in the air. "And who is her maid?" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his all?" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, himself to tell his story. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried respectable self." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "My stepfather's business papers." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I know all about it," he snarled. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves more solid." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted Eyford." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, Pool. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a where she found matters as described by the last witness. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do imbecility!" he cried. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Perhaps I have." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Perhaps we may make them less so." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Was he the only applicant?" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now Dr. Gregory B. Newby brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug lost nothing by them." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Sutherland. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in where she found matters as described by the last witness. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "What is it?" "Just look it up, then." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "It must be recovered." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it with the outside air!" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. as this. Pray let me have the details." if she died from some sudden fright." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "I am sure." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Yes, sir." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one very peculiar words of the dying woman?" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "You'll never persuade me to believe that." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn four million human beings all jostling each other within the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "There is the writing." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich and your relations to her." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began showing my impatience. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, narrative." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" remarked. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the business came to an end." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "None." to Leatherhead. imbecility!" he cried. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer made him keep the appointment." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with thin, with a long, sharp nose?" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the directors, with the result that you have seen." "Where did you address your letters, then?" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the loss of it. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, been." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "By train from Waterloo." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), narrative." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Ample." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "I have solved it." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. been." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard that he has suffered." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in mystery!" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "By no means." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way