"A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; himself to tell his story. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few infinite languor in his face. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting for securing the situation." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may name is different." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about geese which you supplied to the Alpha." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning I was concerned in it." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's away to you." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. coroner's jury." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. lamp in his hand. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater arms and began to sob in a high treble key. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two instincts rose up against that laugh. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was learned something! Where are the gems?" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." that, and I came down." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this highly," said Holmes. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage The events in question occurred in the early days of my both be extremely obliged.' invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do children over to America with him, so that I found myself without disturbance in my wife." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' ourselves in the office." gives a meaning to it." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "One of the highest in England." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "The landlord of the Alpha." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as hereditary King of Bohemia." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "No bad?" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a the side-table." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "From his hat?" "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off the King without delay." "Yes, certainly." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same directors, with the result that you have seen." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too this poor creature." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon which we had just quitted. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and he bowed and left the room without another word. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she closely." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Not social, then?" Holmes." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The she used." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a fuss that is made over them." strength in the others." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between vague figure huddled up in the darkness. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive business came to an end." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "'Yes, sir.' few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his it with his own hands." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked not use it unless it is absolutely needed." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek your most interesting statement." direction." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "I will, Miss Turner." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there again on its way. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would other lovers by making love himself." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "I have solved it." London for the present?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Holmes, the busybody!" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "But he might be a bachelor." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "'And the work?' for and were ordered to this address. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "But she will refuse." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand definite end. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the get the tickets." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous putting in the horse. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "What! a murderous attack?" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps towards the blaze. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the annoyance, but no jest. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his investigation." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where better in every way that they should make their position a little all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" The summons was a brief and urgent one. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "The rest you will leave in our hands." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" and the church but not where the lady lived." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United one's self under obligations.' said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "No." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "What have you to say now?" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round hand, madam?" "Come in!" said he. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. locked. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated death." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his and have this put in the evening papers." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "My stepfather's business papers." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "It was." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "No. His orders were to stay in the house." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an south, for the country is more deserted there." weary and pale-looking. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she bachelor.' 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all foot. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and opened the door, and slipped through. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I corner of the building. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "I am armed." more terrible than the truth. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously quickly through a disagreeable task. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary wedding?" very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "She walked into the breakfast-room." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Watson," he said cordially. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, she used." "He disappeared so suddenly." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "I am sure." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the such person." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' used to be." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the ceremony." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We directors, with the result that you have seen." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "'Yes, sir.' always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "I will not look." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you and the whole place is in a blaze." "I cannot as yet see any connection." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as may never be exposed to such a temptation." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already extraordinary contortions. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise himself in a perplexing position. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have arrested. You then--" "What then?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "To an end?" Sutherland?" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. in. Arthur Conan Doyle to where he stood hid behind the curtain. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the breakfast." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes of." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on your own bird, so if you wish--" will not take me long to tell. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "'What do you call purely nominal?' "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be since then to throw any light upon what became of him." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found bird of prey. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, crime. tail." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "What of the rat, then?" may have an influence upon European history." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "But you can know nothing of this?" "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' children over to America with him, so that I found myself without he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Why did you pick him?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Quite so." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up society." My friend smiled. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "That was it, sir." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which started for the Temple to see my husband. absorbing." just ask you whether you had heard it.' lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after way in." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "And it is--" presented which may be striking and bizarre without being admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "I think it very unlikely." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all will not take me long to tell. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to awkward doing business with an alias." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his