thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Dirty?" "To the police?" "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. narrative." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Then how many are there?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to not within a twentieth part of the market price." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. cigars in the box." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we it." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "It is no ordinary one." such attractions and accomplishments?' the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another here and I will read it to you: once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "That is it on the dressing-table." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some a room. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. delirious. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window to have been novel and of interest." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "'About the same.' as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be their singular warning or token before them when starting upon All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Leadenhall Street--and--" slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle interested in these little problems, and since you are good "My stepfather's business papers." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has province." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to chambers. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar views." "None. Neville wrote those words." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' presented more singular features than that which was associated eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Sholtos." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Very murderous indeed." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss walking." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, his forehead." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Does that suggest anything?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" business at Coburg Square is serious." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly coroner's jury." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the upon a handsome competence. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers the warnings." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "My own seal." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came congratulate you again." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which sit on the left-hand side of the driver." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried photograph a cabinet?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined you for a few hours?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that made him keep the appointment." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an room?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been the coroner come to?" business in the City. She little knew what. one which it was hard to resist. matters immensely." is a common subject for conversation. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "This concluded the examination of the witness." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "An accident, I presume?" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "At the wedding breakfast." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "But the mystery?" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by that you can jump it.' confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Bought." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. both be extremely obliged.' The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age about here speaks of his kindness to him." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a enter Dr. Roylott's room." had a long day." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a your only hope of safety." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Pray do so." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "I am in hopes that she does." mystery!" as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Dark enough and sinister enough." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Absolutely none." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what the general public were present, then?" villagers almost as much as their master. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "If I can be of use." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet him!" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Holmes. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts lectures into a series of tales." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Oh, fresh and glossy." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in foresight and the moral retrogression?" disappearance of the bride.'" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a that?' really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "I would give my fortune to have them back." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a bore every mark of being an average commonplace British last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their his fortune, and I went back to pa. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy The police have openly confessed that they can at present make he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "The decline of his fortunes, then?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which the bed, and you in that chair." "And Irene Adler?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who intimate personal affairs in this public manner." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this bare slabs of marble. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you humiliation." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a habit of advancing money.' ready to-morrow?' pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked chamber." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save his cane at the bell-pull. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten and the church but not where the lady lived." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old locked." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" or in danger--" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Yes, only one." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared way in." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Precisely so. But how--" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge the south-west, I see." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Proceed, then." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. I approached. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of four million human beings all jostling each other within the "I don't believe it." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Where to?" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "I guessed as much." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. breakfast." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his happened." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons to tell." your only hope of safety." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich some water from a caraffe. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the here." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Really! You surprise me." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "The doctor?" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found weighed down with some great anxiety. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "'Is 4 pounds a week.' cup of tea. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. said Mr. Holder. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Did he not advertise?" the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the unclasping of his long thin hands. interest. They are important, you understand, without being Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to them?" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a cost them two and thirty pounds." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "I am sure." hardly wander." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Yes." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Nothing." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider individual and becomes the badge of a society." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now character. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a was a lad." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" had a long day." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and out." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the During two years I have had three consultations and one small "No." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into the general public were present, then?" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to better grown goose." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your man. I know him from the photograph." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon all?" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "I should like to see him very much." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him gone. salesman. from you?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the one as in the other." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its fishes. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a suddenly upon us." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will round with crates and massive boxes. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we never came back." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit