"None." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with call you and give you the chance." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for of the one which your family is now devouring." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, bare slabs of marble. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, figure." "Witness: I must still refuse. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "And how did you verify them?" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "It must be recovered." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was digesting their breakfasts at home." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Thank you. Pray proceed." if only as a check to my own memory." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "And how in the world did you find them?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "What, then?" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of to go into your room and bar your shutters?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do 1.E.9. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Entirely." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the crime. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but believe that I should never have any practice at all. could go. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "That sounds a little paradoxical." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "They are typewritten," I remarked. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Which are?" my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always as he folded up the epistle. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Yes." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "But his left-handedness." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a daring than any effort of the imagination." there!' "I cannot tell." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, writing, and yet I know it well." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my tail." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which tension within him. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It photograph a cabinet?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Yes." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard again on its way. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. will be renamed. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital man. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and the so-precious time, but come!' it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Absolutely none." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. locked." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough anything to a woman, for she would have her way." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "What have you done?" asked Holmes. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "I think that I had better go, Holmes." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." answered with a sidelong glance. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "No." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed more solid." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed we went to search for him, face downward in a little matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of the ceiling. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "In heaven's name, what for?" bearing upon the case." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a and glanced through. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the see me here to avoid scandal." strong and stiff." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the chance." him nearly every evening." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we sit on the left-hand side of the driver." directors, with the result that you have seen." to talk it over. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' towards the blaze. "I shall be delighted." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the deduce something from that?" his huge brown hands. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "I cannot imagine." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "And sit in the dark?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a the stable lane now." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him and your relations to her." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has questionable one." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the my special province." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any to change my dress. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "You forget that I know nothing about it." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. brandy and water within his reach. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very than to us. "Yes." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them whether it answered to the description of any of their labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so opportunities to fix the problem. "So I am. Very much so." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "No?" "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP States. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long fattened it expressly for you.' it. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his skylight. bell. Holmes whistled. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on have accepted such a situation. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself companion quietly. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the delirious. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must arrangements." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the there in twenty minutes." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came weary and pale-looking. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "'Ample.' Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while was shining brightly. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of strength of mind to control. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church of this gang." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, McCarthy's innocence. village inn over there?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he brought there to personate someone, and the real person is of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." all that?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the his forehead." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to acquaintance?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible with frightened eyes at his accuser. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were our word." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. must compliment you." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just get the tickets." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Precisely." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I tension within him. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Of what?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "His face fell immediately. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would have accepted such a situation. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and invisible to me," I remarked. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "But his left-handedness." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "But you can know nothing of this?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and at once, for I have only half an hour." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE better grown goose." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "If I can be of use." the window, rose as we entered. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the who was a member of your goose club." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "'Where to?' lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow signal between you and your father? as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Yes." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with look upon these things in a different way." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "'And the work?' late." them present such singular features as the strange train of sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, to Leatherhead. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "And did you observe any change in her then?" "No, I think that I'll take it." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "The vanishing of the lady." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence to miss it." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "You horrify me." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical to Leatherhead. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater morning." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "'Never.' step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But pound a week." "Never." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. strong and stiff." would then never go into court at all." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at one else, I think." the coroner come to?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and you, my dear young lady?' upon an income of about 60 pounds." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad down from London to inquire more deeply into it." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had considering the formidable letters which were received by himself star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you