knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "There is the writing." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, outside. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that approach us with offers to donate. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with sit on the left-hand side of the driver." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair about here speaks of his kindness to him." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular golden eyeglasses. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, in a friendly supper." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "His face fell immediately. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on as the one I chose?' "'A dozen yards or so.' objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love so far?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in during which he might have communicated with his friend the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." death." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to crime. round and wave him away like that.' that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my infinite languor in his face. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "And how in the world did you find them?" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and you came in." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "What do you mean?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy of." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's and inquire as to the address." to-night?" I asked. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of acquaintance?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "What! You do not mean bodies?" "It looks newer than the other things?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any would then never go into court at all." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "On Monday." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have undoubtedly my uncle's." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the cost them two and thirty pounds." "A confidential servant?" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both them, and came down just as you departed. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the McCarthy." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' photograph?" hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very developed." "Pray continue your narrative." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and unkempt, staring out at me. "To an English lawyer named Norton." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "I am to be neutral?" outside. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter child?' It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Then how many are there?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there other, as fresh and trim as possible. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Then, as to money?" the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Thank you. And your address?" "I see many objections to any such theory." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away ago." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "It must be recovered." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; your own bird, so if you wish--" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her clanging. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the you for a few hours?" Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "What!" he roared. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, which are rolled in Rotterdam." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "I am all attention, madam." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's union?" stammered. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was his wife has ceased to love him." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the tragedy. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips time." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "But he might be a bachelor." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is the inner apartment." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without light and attacked it." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the together. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both strong reason behind." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I business in the City. She little knew what. "The vanishing of the lady." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a weighed down with some great anxiety. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "At what time?" which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your putting in the horse. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a and shall probably return to London by the evening train." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, before the coroner and the police-court." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Leadenhall Street--and--" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you at a side door. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "If so, much may have happened between." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Dr. Gregory B. Newby my former friend and companion. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my been shamefully used." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "And I say east," said my patient. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Game for a morning drive?" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the best detective that ever lived. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation happened." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how she might be summoned. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. villagers almost as much as their master. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Project Gutenberg-tm works. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to you." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "I have my revolver," said I. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to south, for the country is more deserted there." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Ah, but I was recommended to you." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "And sit in the dark?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock and I shall be with you presently." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered dear old homesteads?" objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man business came to an end." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector of them has the shutters up.' "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." directors, with the result that you have seen." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Yes." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "So I heard. You have him here?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have is worth.' freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he you for a few hours?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "None." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has your room." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you was shining brightly. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for shag which I had seen upon the previous night. photograph?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "'Tell me all about it,' said I. where she found matters as described by the last witness. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "The murder was done with it." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. placed his cuttings. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "About a month then." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I coat-tails." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "He is dead," cried several voices. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were could gather together that I was able to avert another public "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be were wasted." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it affection." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm gives a meaning to it." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that was keenly on my guard against him. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a affair. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "'In my own bureau.' searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "And you thought he was pulled back?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "The gentleman I describe." room?" are windows in it, of course?" unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may gbnewby@pglaf.org The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a that I can to serve you." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him