so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "You were travelling in the States?" nonsense.' heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "I was certainly surprised to find you there." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang companion imperturbably. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid tell them apart.' a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "No." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Holmes rather sternly. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a woman." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit putting in the horse. been deceived." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "'Yes.' "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "What?" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can British peeress.'" Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "What I expected to see." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "'Then let me do so?' which it had come upon my father." his eyes and forehead. "And did you observe any change in her then?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "No more words. Get out!" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Was your sister dressed?" his forehead." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "How do you know, then?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain thin legs towards the fire. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my have one." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the awkward doing business with an alias." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right been lifted and conveyed somewhere." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Yes." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass make me his representative both with the servants and with the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I words came to my lips. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "On the contrary, this is the right side." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased answered with a sidelong glance. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you and I shall be with you presently." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "'I shall certainly be there.' abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, sparkled upon his finger. the night.' look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his said he, "my real name is James Ryder." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when such attractions and accomplishments?' he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a bled considerably." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "No more words. Get out!" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a too. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to him to be an active member of the medical profession." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' one of the states of the Union." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." there!' Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few of receipt of the work. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, orange pips. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the seen the man in the road." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." hand, madam?" showing my impatience. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I least a most suspicious remark." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. think that any burglar could have done. problems help me to do so." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Proceed, then." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could again." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been coroner's jury." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "You saw the ventilator, too?" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would hurried by. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Holmes' room. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "What shall I do?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Married! When?" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Never to return." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no desk. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Was he the only applicant?" manager. "No, I am descending." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "I am about to be married." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we note?" what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife not interfere, come what may. You understand?" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Precisely." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the opened the door, and slipped through. was not a bird to be seen there. and no precautions can guard against." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of during which he might have communicated with his friend the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, important." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: done what I asked you, Jones?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "When did it break out?" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Yes, I have one waiting." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." it were putty." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather hour?' I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker and all of them with the keenest interest. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." putting in the horse. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable something of him before." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "How often?" "VIOLET HUNTER." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal ways including including checks, online payments and credit card speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon meanly of me." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "In answer to an advertisement." "Then you may be so with me." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I tightly behind him. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Where, then?" fasten all the windows?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "To ruin me." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "I am armed." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who will he say when he returns?" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "ARAT," I read. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All that threaten you." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, goes." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "'Very good.' was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the a good hundred miles off by now." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "He is still with you, I presume?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just generous with you in money matters.' "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom which I could not give. He asked for Alice. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." in the dead of the night?' then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less intrusion of other matters." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Perfectly so." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "The best possible." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would leaning back in his chair. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with vague figure huddled up in the darkness. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook appeal." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Eyford." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Where to?" never came back." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a upon the white wrist. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Never to return." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, of his shoulders. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Was there a secret marriage?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "And how?" "When did she vanish, then?" depend upon your compliance." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to crime. despair." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Not I." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Quite so. She has her freedom." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am he. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I am following you closely," I answered. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "What, then, did Peterson do?" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry matter." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "The murder was done with it." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached himself in a perplexing position. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Nothing?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "'Entirely.' professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very the side-table." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Pray do so." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" me have 200 pounds?' problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards generous with you in money matters.' About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and without success. At last the little money which I had saved began comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "I say it is." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. been with you?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left criminal. We have already had experience of such." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Nothing." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" not come at once?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." for its centre. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an rat could hardly pass through." from the brougham. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently mysterious end." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "One of the highest in England." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I cigars in their mouths. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Well?" "Then what has happened to him?" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and you found me to-night--and running through the front room she became a certainty. giving me time to thank him. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, to talk it over. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of and glanced through. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns business at Coburg Square is serious." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a to Leatherhead. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Of what?" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Why did you pick him?" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped.