"Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Yes." your sleep?' "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very looking up at the numbers of the houses." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "I don't believe it." "No." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." was it brought him the coronet? human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "He is still with you, I presume?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered appeared upon the scene." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch upon the sideboard." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there highly," said Holmes. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "It is possible." writer." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "I was sure that I might rely on you." outside. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as rose-bushes. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Witness: It was. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the whereabouts. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have upon the white wrist. DISSOLVED. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming bearing upon the case." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Doctor, of the paper and the date." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "No, but the enclosure is." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, indiscretion." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Stoke Moran." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and constraint." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." definite end. "I cannot tell." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, fashion which was peculiar to him. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual in his hands." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "But of what society?" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Deserted you?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." from the brougham. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "It was." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Precisely." gigantic client. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall upon the sideboard." "'Quite sure, dad.' said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I 1.F. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," business?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Stolen, then." bachelor.' "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "And did you observe any change in her then?" "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "And how?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns than to us. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a him!" "Not particularly." keep the flames under. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round you came in." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "No, finished." mystery." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and derbies." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" upon the white wrist. "And your father? Did you tell him?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, points to suicide?" were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the the very morning of the wedding." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of retorted upon me, and I on you." him!" his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy to-night." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "One of his hands." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at case before our client came into the room." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "She walked into the breakfast-room." evidence," I remarked. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "How did he come?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "But how?" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should his cane at the bell-pull. "'A dozen yards or so.' slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "It is possible." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your outside. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother papers." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen hour?' there were so many in the whole country as were brought together saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to that you can jump it.' "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "No." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America Munro.' "Yes, only one." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known feature." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "It may not come to that," said Holmes. papers." bedroom door." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Have you it here?" in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Your sister is dead, then?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which have I gained?" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some unprofitable." "Quite so." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' the room while you explain this matter?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for towards the blaze. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it floor. weighed down with some great anxiety. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Not I." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, she might be summoned. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as what is your own theory as to what took place?" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Absolutely?" ceremony." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to best detective that ever lived. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own weary and pale-looking. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor if she died from some sudden fright." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Sutherland?" used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had suggested at once that there must be a communication between the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a colour had been driven from his face. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a what I may call a really hard day's work." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would figure." "Yes." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I room?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." stammered. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of posted to-day." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the matter." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Pray do so." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing awkward doing business with an alias." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while himself in a perplexing position. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is excitement. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of good for you to do.' decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is suddenly upon us." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any that he will be back before evening." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Pray do so." "He might." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the or other trace. But how on earth--" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after bonnet, and went out." "You saw the ventilator, too?" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing arrangements." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable where she found matters as described by the last witness. address. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR considering the formidable letters which were received by himself with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Well?" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the appeal." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "That is also quite modern," said the lady. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with seven miles from Eyford Station.' little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Very murderous indeed." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, the very letters. But what is this written above them?' Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "But to whom?" that most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I from the brougham. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Sutherland?" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "I am following you closely," I answered. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." was a loud and authoritative tap. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too get the tickets." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Where is it, then?" gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where