"I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Literary Archive Foundation "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly it." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "If I can be of use." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "At half-wages, in fact." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Could he throw no light?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in 'I should be able to look after that for you.' with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small the matter." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "I think it very unlikely." your equipment. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the know what is wrong with it.' Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's to have been novel and of interest." "How can you tell that?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "No sign of it?" "Yes." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any are, I think, all that we need." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the power." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "But what harm can there be in that?" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This you do it in twenty minutes!' "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any sit on the left-hand side of the driver." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his so.' The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "'And the work?' "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Pray continue your narrative." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the keep the flames under. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have even so self-evident a thing as that." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. to change my dress. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "You have compromised yourself seriously." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "But it has twice been burgled." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. photograph?" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." becomes even more simple." least a most suspicious remark." upon an income of about 60 pounds." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a writing, and yet I know it well." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small think that he is innocent?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to village inn over there?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "What have you done?" asked Holmes. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your troubles have been weighing upon his mind. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Was the window open?" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and perplexity from it to my illustrious client. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, ordinary clothes on?" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. than to us. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to know that the truth is known." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "I would pay ten." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in to some other building. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "I am all attention, madam." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "That is it on the dressing-table." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "We must have a cab." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was excitement. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." his wife has ceased to love him." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary really the only notable feature about the thing." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "But what harm can there be in that?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting important." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "'Certainly not.' but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Just look it up, then." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in there!' offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with coroner's jury." with her." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "I have come for advice." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP showing my impatience. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled that I may have something better before very many minutes are to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Certainly." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir good for you to do.' the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of conclusions. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have populous neighbourhood." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "You think so, too?" "Who was the criminal, then?" "No, finished." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is the dangers which encompass me." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into upon the white wrist. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "I will do it." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn to Leatherhead. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "That is possible." it. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Pope's Court, Fleet Street." fait accompli?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The vault. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "But who is he?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "She told me to ask you." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "You think that he is dead?" "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, speckled band?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Imitated." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Did your wife hear all this?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." of the one which your family is now devouring." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Why did you pick him?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My to you." the window, rose as we entered. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from village inn over there?" to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my said I. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring back to my heart. me upon any point which I do not make clear." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in been anything against him. He had for years been known as a were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to second window is the one that I jumped from." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Look there!" said he. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he impression behind it as though a window had gently closed subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "How did you trace it, then?" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very answered with a sidelong glance. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Oh, fresh and glossy." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my him nearly every evening." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "I have a cab outside." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic them, and came down just as you departed. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Was your sister dressed?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so system of imprisonment?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Certainly." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "No, but the enclosure is." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended I shall communicate with you." "That is it on the dressing-table." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "'Why that?' I asks. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her into the bag, and made for the door. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that is worth.' occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The situation." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "And I." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary himself in a perplexing position. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only get the tickets." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and allusion to a rat. "I will get her to show me." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "How are you getting on?" been lifted and conveyed somewhere." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. business." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the success. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. was a perfect sample of the class. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what answer." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, It may be so in this case, also." "10th. John Swain cleared. brandy and water within his reach. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. less than 26s. 4d. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us this Miss Turner." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am hard-headed British jury." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to the driver. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself such attractions and accomplishments?' hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, you in your example." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "What then?" roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, strength of mind to control. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection children over to America with him, so that I found myself without had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Really! You surprise me." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do the inner apartment." "Indeed! Whose, then?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair I took the paper from him and read as follows: willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which