and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you question you as to those details which seem to me to be most the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "No sign of it?" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his go--none." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the nice household for a young lady." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Heh?' my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned I nodded again. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the the morning and make my own way in the world.' active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It to Leatherhead. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Yes, only one." charged with?" on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. not personally threatened." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Why, what do you mean?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from head. So long, then!" lamp in his hand. "No. What a strange idea!" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "'Quite sure, dad.' You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my some water from a caraffe. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Arthur Conan Doyle sooner or later she must fall a victim. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the derbies." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused the little opening for the ventilator is." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them spark where all is dark to me." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their that the gas is not laid on in his house?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had quick march!" if only as a check to my own memory." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "By all means." seen the man in the road." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the IS touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in conclusions. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I your room." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him suggested at once that there must be a communication between the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business depend upon my doing so.' as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. matter over." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "None." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Her father is very rich?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "And you don't know his address?" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Yes, sir." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that most interesting one." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, suspect him." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "My own seal." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" there has been an enclosure here!" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both Cross for the Continent." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Thank you. Pray proceed." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have look dissatisfied." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my his forehead." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather as this. Pray let me have the details." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should important." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my go--none." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "'There is a drive, then?' 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My morning." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see Sutherland. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous remarked. respectable self." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for for and were ordered to this address. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. himself. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had of campaign. "It must be recovered." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it murdered man." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes to change my dress. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other to his chemical studies. on re-entering her father's house?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "10th. John Swain cleared. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "You saw the ventilator, too?" "I was sure that I might rely on you." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. eavesdroppers?' the house with me." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in morning." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Again Holmes raved in the air. "'Quite sure, dad.' affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Why did you beat the pavement?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a helping a boy to put up the shutters. man. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately gone. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "And leave your case unfinished?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my use an arc-and-compass breastpin." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Sutherland?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Her father is very rich?" little adventures." weary and pale-looking. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the looking up at the numbers of the houses." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you a very grave face. "No." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the tightly behind him. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a main points of my analysis." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an which our visitor detailed to us. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "One?" at once, for I have only half an hour." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of chambers. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Entirely." "She told me to ask you." whatever might befall. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "'It is locked up,' I answered. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass fish-monger and a tide-waiter." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has lamp. business?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the even of instruction." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest father's young wife. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my more solid." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I walking." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, ran thus: "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an a suggestive one." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly and your relations to her." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts shoulder; "he's all right." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Not yet." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the my secret was safe in his possession. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, cigar and let me expound." "'And the work?' "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "My Mary? Impossible!" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very arrested. You then--" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. there was no need for father to know." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached cost them two and thirty pounds." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "No, finished." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of for securing the situation." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want them present such singular features as the strange train of and files of the old papers, following the future career of every humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "It surprised me." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "That is unusual in a young girl." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her delighted to hear it," he said. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "BALLARAT." "'Then let me do so?' to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" to some other building. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless was used.' going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources would then never go into court at all." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Oh, yes, easily." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "What will you say?" instituted." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found seem to you to be relevant or not." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the tear off another piece?' "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "To an end?" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this you in your example." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow all?" stepfather?" Pope's Court. I nodded again. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is lips." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with the matter." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?"