league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Ah!" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that jewels which you have stolen?' the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and you in your example." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, could not have written that. It is the German who is so himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. newspaper selections." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "None." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "You think that he is dead?" "Where is it, then?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of said Mr. Holder. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "My photograph." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Holmes' room. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little there!' to-morrow." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down an introduction to him?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons hardly wander." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on man. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the strength in the others." photograph?" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Yes, he did." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and off." the coronet in his hands?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the tension within him. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that troubles have been weighing upon his mind. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a nonsense.' editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "So I am. Very much so." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You conceal it?" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' papers must be those that are destroyed.' man. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it ourselves in the office." unkempt, staring out at me. pound a week." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, when your master had gone out." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down felt the room to be a little close.' that before taking the final step I should like to submit the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Where to?" your bag." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Entirely." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon to have been novel and of interest." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate the dangers which encompass me." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "I am all attention, madam." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to begin with, and I had not got mine yet." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "VIOLET HUNTER." the coronet in his hand?" would then never go into court at all." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my there in twenty minutes." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Chief Executive and Director intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, 1.E.9. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "I answered that I had not. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat before, for it was considerably after midnight. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Certainly." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I things are very often connected not with the larger but with the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to them?" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so into the room. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "What will you do, then?" statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the or other trace. But how on earth--" murdered man." not as remarkable as your advertisement." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the III. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at prisoner's face. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It photograph?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' possible that we could bring him back to her? "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "It is possible." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' lost nothing by them." child?' attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, never came back." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that too. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in secret." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of occurred." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "I am armed." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but back into the street. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to of a light. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old later, upon the night of May 2nd." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself pressing in one house as in another. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among hour." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Then I am your man." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in the dangers which encompass me." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, definite end. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for persecution?" the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Dr. Gregory B. Newby together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Of what day?" extraordinary contortions. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear about here speaks of his kindness to him." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Look there!" said he. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Lestrade of Scotland Yard." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence villagers almost as much as their master. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "The gentleman I describe." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked in this way: "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. must be when I saw the door open.' the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you and put his glass in his pocket. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Nearly eleven." "No, distinctly professional." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." said Mr. Holder. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is not within a twentieth part of the market price." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "'And what salary do you ask?' said I. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to http://gutenberg.net/license). same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly way in everything. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Mary, has deserted me." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from ago." she to prove their authenticity?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." your co-operation." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the business in the City. She little knew what. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of extraordinary contortions. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his distinguish the words: "No, distinctly professional." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Certainly." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally which it had come upon my father." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. there was no need for father to know." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the unclasping of his long thin hands. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "But to whom?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "No, my brougham is waiting." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "He said that you could solve anything." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "How did he come?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior distinguish the words: "Entirely." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Your French gold?" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger quite distinctive." in one or two places in England?' I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Here?" "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in said he at last. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Farm upon the left." "It certainly sounds feasible." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for and wait." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do putting in the horse. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my congratulate you again." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," unkempt, staring out at me. "Imitated." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "It is true that I have been generally successful." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are address. "What is it, then--a fire?" of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." in my life." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among some city in a dream. like that before?" again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Ah!" "He said too much." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "And how did you find out?" better grown goose." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It