calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over time." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I depend upon my doing so.' He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself tapping his fingers upon the table. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "'Never.' Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must to where he stood hid behind the curtain. other lovers by making love himself." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "What, then, did Peterson do?" said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Nothing?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "And now?" He raised his hand. distinguish the words: a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Why serious?" relation between them, and what the object of his repeated will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "So I heard. You have him here?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. true." whereabouts. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "'Never.' "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Foundation the loss of it. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Where does the thing come from?' fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, photograph?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have spare." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP occurred." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "How about poison?" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "How about poison?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she tell him that I know him to be innocent." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back which we had just quitted. my friend's incisive reasoning. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when was a perfect sample of the class. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it His smile broadened. "I cannot imagine." "Did your wife hear all this?" "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Certainly." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they recall any case within my experience which looked at the first roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the such person." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change train from Paddington which would bring you there at about the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman was keenly on my guard against him. "He might." "I should like to see him very much." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" of the one which your family is now devouring." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From of them has the shutters up.' Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily handed it to him. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece to go into your room and bar your shutters?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Do you go out much in society?" suddenly upon us." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "And Miss Sutherland?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the you." tell me that you intended to go into harness." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Sutherland?" when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Was your sister dressed?" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill knowledge of the world." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" golden eyeglasses. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the already been minutely examined." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Where is it, then?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs believe that I should never have any practice at all. "From his hat?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm I leave." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Yes, it was twisted." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious question. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done public press." at my own good fortune. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative made his money." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "'Where to?' "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the at once, for I have only half an hour." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at threw himself down with his face to the pillow. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a and glanced through. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "One of his hands." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic returning from some small jollification and was making his way It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself upon the sideboard." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Not yet." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "I am armed." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to you for a few hours?" question," said Holmes, smiling. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out just called myself is not exactly my own." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Frequently." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "By no means." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had overpowering excitement and concern. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did strength in the others." "From his hat?" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps of his shoulders. go--none." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson quick march!" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Stolen." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project your troubles." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a returned to France?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. train.' fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and were unconscious?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So remarked. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we which our visitor detailed to us. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which grasp, he hurried from the room. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" disappearance of these gems?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, envelope. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in father's place of business?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "So I am. Very much so." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "What office?" "He might." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, your bag." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "'Then let me do so?' ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Could he throw no light?" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Yes, all." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are do." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, have not had my rubber." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Of what day?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, promised to bring home. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to presented more singular features than that which was associated mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case note?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "And why in hopes?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "I am sure." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time answer." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Henry Baker is a member." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the such person." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this once more to my work. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "That you are never beaten." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here to a light-house. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am village inn over there?" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and hereditary King of Bohemia." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Then the page we have seen--" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp were wasted." business." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Witness: It was. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that went to the Alpha were town bred." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a and shall probably return to London by the evening train." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the astonishment. there has been an enclosure here!" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the respectable self." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, forbidden door. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by not personally threatened." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "No." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, is four-and-twenty." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had back to my heart. quite distinctive." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "'You doubt its value?' he asked. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Leadenhall Street--and--" this man was intellectual?" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "I cannot imagine." Farm upon the left." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. answered with a sidelong glance. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "'You cannot say what it was?' husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while