flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close nothing with him." was already answered. of Mr. Rucastle's." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I husband's writing, madam." nothing with him." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his definite end. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "The gentleman I describe." views." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those friend's singular character. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. to surprise her." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; characteristics, but those are the more obvious." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is business matters.' income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he sentimental considerations in the background which would induce name is different." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being strong reason behind." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Have you it here?" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he again." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging passage and a tap at the door. Where does the thing come from?' "And what then?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." must be when I saw the door open.' "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the little opening for the ventilator is." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Imitated." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with annoyance, but no jest. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll third from London." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Quite so." "What can you not understand?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "I cannot as yet see any connection." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My nice household for a young lady." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it to affect your life." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Your sister is dead, then?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "But to whom?" month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "'Oh, no.' analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Who was the criminal, then?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "How can you tell that?" "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser mystery!" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "I have my revolver," said I. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies bird of prey. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "And it is--" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the I held the little printed slip to the light. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "By train from Waterloo." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they know all about it," he snarled. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "He is still with you, I presume?" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Farm upon the left." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own kind enough to tell me what I should do." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business been with you?" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Pray continue your narrative." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "How do you know, then?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so will not take me long to tell. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of good for you to do.' "Were they all fastened this morning?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "It is to him that this trophy belongs." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has him." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, throat." possible that we could bring him back to her? "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Yes." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "The vanishing of the lady." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Could he throw no light?" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon against a man in the prime of life?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's and put his glass in his pocket. "Yes, that is the Crown." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really DISSOLVED. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Mary, has deserted me." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Has he come with you to-night?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates that, and I came down." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he again." touch that coronet?' wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, The King stared at him in amazement. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about your bag." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of affection." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet dramatic, in fact." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "It is true that I have been generally successful." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he one of them." really the only notable feature about the thing." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "'Very good.' of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "So I am. Very much so." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at will be renamed. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be have established a very serious case against the son of the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of gone. in the hope of finding them." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Then, how do you know?" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, roused himself from his reverie. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from looking up at the numbers of the houses." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of interest. They are important, you understand, without being "You are hungry," I remarked. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He village inn over there?" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "I would pay ten." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "In San Francisco, a year ago." the Assizes." all?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Not him." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in third from London." your bag." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have what these perils are?" himself in a perplexing position. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "I was afraid that you were engaged." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who was feeling which was the fattest.' this truth that in these little records of our cases which you that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, footfalls from the street. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; purpose equally well?" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own yet." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same night.' said he. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the the coronet in his hands?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Well, but China?" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "That was it, sir." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Your French gold?" annoyance, but no jest. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "I am still in the dark." bearing upon the case." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "And how in the world did you find them?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "'There is a drive, then?' when your master had gone out." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to Have you good authority for what you say?" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which fact, we may call it conclusive." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. McCarthy's innocence. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Yes, from Horsham." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "I am following you closely," I answered. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white charge against him will break down." I leave." nonsense.' can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years burst out into a roar of laughter. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the carpenter." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "'Is purely nominal.' down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with suggested at once that there must be a communication between the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, dates and names. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Murdered?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "And how did you verify them?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you he bowed and left the room without another word. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those companion. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, you want, then?' have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Eyford." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At ready to-morrow?' have not had my rubber." I took the paper from him and read as follows: few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "No, I think that I'll take it." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she was already answered. cause to be." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently had picked up in the wood. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. hands. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "To an English lawyer named Norton." but preventing her from injuring another. distinguish the words: he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "No." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, child?' the Assizes." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "You think that he is dead?" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and extraordinary contortions. acquaintance?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may golden eyeglasses. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless sooner or later she must fall a victim. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered door?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from exactly what you advise." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who