what is your own theory as to what took place?" feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "He said that you could solve anything." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "And help." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out again." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note the Assizes." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope she has been waylaid. There has been no result." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a the matter." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking breakfast." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "To an English lawyer named Norton." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So interest. They are important, you understand, without being even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Why, what do you mean?" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Yes, he did." stood on the top of it. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. annoyance, but no jest. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about the date of his supposed suicide." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became always that they were such commands as a lady might with luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault read over the extraordinary announcement. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis bird of prey. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set crime. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "I came to find a friend." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "It must be recovered." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "That is also quite modern," said the lady. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Who by?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his with some details as to your case." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner was a perfect sample of the class. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "But you have hopes?" "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." brain must have something in it." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the becomes even more simple." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Tired-looking or fresh?" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from relation between them, and what the object of his repeated into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar there was no need for father to know." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Only as much as we can deduce." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "My own seal." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She garden below. "I cannot say that I have." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "It may not come to that," said Holmes. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank you give your casting vote to?" "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers remarked. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a weary and pale-looking. "But how?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." clang of the bell. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." in his power. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all strength." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is noble correspondent could be. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide which I could not give. He asked for Alice. affection." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "It is half-past ten now." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency photograph a cabinet?" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest highroad, where all traces were lost. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity congratulate you again." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And he bowed and left the room without another word. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some I shall continue with my miserable story. "Whose house is it?" the station." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation triumphant cloud from his cigarette. this remarkable episode. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, entirely lost his self-respect." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his think you a quite exceptional woman." is so. I know all about McCarthy." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, amused." returned to France?" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. bird of prey. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a forebodings. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as married her." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "The decline of his fortunes, then?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "And you thought he was pulled back?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Pray do so." IS "But what is it you wish?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to hurried away. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a fashion which was peculiar to him. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable forecastle of an emigrant ship. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Stoke Moran?" said he. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, might help us?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "In answer to an advertisement." emerged. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the letters?" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments shoulder. "Come in!" said he. "I say it is." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the some city in a dream. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," secret." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought stepfather?" here and I will read it to you: shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "But your client--" "One of the highest in England." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Well, but China?" had picked up in the wood. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which said he. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge in his power. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at prove to be little relation between the different incidents of eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Was the window open?" gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door cost them two and thirty pounds." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had them?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate child?' from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the cost them two and thirty pounds." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." husband's writing, madam." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few from you?" gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to Holmes' thin, eager face. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Then how many are there?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "None." "No sign of it?" "Where did he live, then?" one of them." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "But I have heard all that you have heard." you." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss said Mr. Holder. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had mystery." This is what he says: to-night's adventure." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is if I call to-morrow?" just called myself is not exactly my own." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "And how?" "Not in the least." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "'What then?' I asked. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "You will not go there first?" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I chill to my heart. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it skylight. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." events than those which have happened in my own family." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not where we are going." legal crime." McCarthy." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "I do." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was to have that photograph." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already to me. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir mysterious business." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my and shall probably return to London by the evening train." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now which should have the effect of calling the attention of the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a stalked out of the room. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not License. You must require such a user to return or