chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that kind enough to tell me what I should do." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of gigantic client. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "'Which dealer's?' we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let business?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps you." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "What! You do not mean bodies?" seem to you to be relevant or not." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Yes, the wine-cellar." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that within hail.' "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when in the port of London." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital nights." "Yes, sir." "My dear Holmes!" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. correct than the official force." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Perhaps I have." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' kindly on the shoulder. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by said he, "my real name is James Ryder." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Oh, yes, easily." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then should be taken.' British peeress.'" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps article?" Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. letters?" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Witness: It was. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year has little to do with my story." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I chill to my heart. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in you?' sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" extraordinary contortions. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to of his shoulders. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended any more." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind very peculiar words of the dying woman?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen me what he had done with the three missing stones. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to public press." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret points in connection with it which never have been, and probably weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted that I may have something better before very many minutes are Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say outbreak?" "But his left-handedness." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, all-comprehensive glances. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "And how did he make his money?" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "I was afraid that you were engaged." second window is the one that I jumped from." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, views." did not hear it also.' other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it corner of the building. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an already been minutely examined." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "But you can know nothing of this?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is call for protection in the marriage market, for the present something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face it." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "No." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very is entirely a question of barometric pressure." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of once more to my work. notes," he said. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no it right.' considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as help us in this matter." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily III. quite distinctive." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his where Mr. Fordham shows you.' together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Then the page we have seen--" closely." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements would then never go into court at all." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office green of the new foliage. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "And who is her maid?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Bought." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and you?" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers in this way: there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a secret." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "No, finished." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought man. I know him from the photograph." away to you." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much questioning and rather startled gaze. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." to have that photograph." of them has the shutters up.' its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, such person." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Why did you beat the pavement?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear even so self-evident a thing as that." bare slabs of marble. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, locked." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "My photograph." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold electronic works The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his amused." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut pierced for earrings?" little adventures." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Come in!" said Holmes. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" stepfather?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Not particularly." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage have I gained?" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk guilty parties." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to head. So long, then!" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "'Is purely nominal.' depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, answered with a sidelong glance. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, digesting their breakfasts at home." "Breckinridge is his name." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "And now?" He raised his hand. he. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that sentimental considerations in the background which would induce preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." dear old homesteads?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. disappearance of the bride.'" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that I. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Where, then, is my wife?" "None." "She told me to ask you." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "I was sure that I might rely on you." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure him!" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with The King stared at him in amazement. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "I warn you that they are very incomplete." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" that you can jump it.' look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of again, where I was soon asleep. "I have solved it." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "It is possible." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each again on its way. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address some water from a caraffe. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Holmes rather sternly. seem to you to be relevant or not." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning quickly through a disagreeable task. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled retorted upon me, and I on you." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." amused." But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it as yours." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and used to be." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know brain must have something in it." and I shall be with you presently." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Will you bet, then?" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Very. But will he see it?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "'How far from the body?' "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "What! Had he lost his wife?" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and my secret was safe in his possession. awkward doing business with an alias." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Yes." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more Street. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the