naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It had this final quarrel? when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in 1.E.9. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped and that he would see to anything that turned up. that?' either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always to-night." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. you do it in twenty minutes!' prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the once more. is now desirous of getting those letters back." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." I approached. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the arrested. You then--" about. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I despaired of." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered who was a member of your goose club." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "And you don't know his address?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in room?" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "It is half-past ten now." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from *** START: FULL LICENSE *** Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "My private note-paper." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the writers could invent nothing more crude." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Watson," he said cordially. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary will take you up to see the machine.' untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I it." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are photograph?" has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon your own bird, so if you wish--" "And what did you see?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I hopeless attempt at recovering them." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled has little to do with my story." "But not more so than I to find you." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I he. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive daring than any effort of the imagination." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "I have my revolver," said I. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the you, my dear young lady?' is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad seem to you to be relevant or not." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Very much so." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. For additional contact information: pierced for earrings?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular the date of his supposed suicide." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the would apply.' this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "And that is--" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that yards of it?' That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag down from London to inquire more deeply into it." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to maiden herself was most instructive." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Well, some hundreds of times." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "The murder was done with it." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter awkward doing business with an alias." "But she will refuse." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from both be extremely obliged.' it." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the companion quietly. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Holmes rather sternly. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "What do you make of that, Watson?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." chance." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no ways including including checks, online payments and credit card His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, details." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Farm upon the left." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said read over the extraordinary announcement. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Yes." "Yes, it would be as well." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon prisoner's face. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "In which, sir?" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the remarked. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "I will do it." "And how did you find out?" "Bought." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I and laid it on the table. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he crime. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air lumber-room." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." cost them two and thirty pounds." "Here?" Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "When did she vanish, then?" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, house for five minutes.' strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." the very morning of the wedding." deduce something from that?" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that other, as fresh and trim as possible. is," said he presently: entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His this as likely?" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon whether it answered to the description of any of their soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in prison!" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "That is not always so easy." putting in the horse. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had means taking possession of that which another person has a prior letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "But what will you do?" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "The murder was done with it." "Married! When?" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he house for five minutes.' At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Then what has happened to him?" this remarkable episode. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the The events in question occurred in the early days of my poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Stolen, then." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Yes, certainly." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two allusion to a rat. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Yes, that is the Crown." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from front of me. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full strode off upon his way. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a was it brought him the coronet? new duties?' ashen face. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic figure." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Her father is very rich?" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "At what time?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on appointment with me for six o'clock?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "What will you say?" returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, down from London to inquire more deeply into it." views." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the coronet in his hands?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the at my own good fortune. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible been able to understand it, in a very few words. which we had just quitted. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out breakfast?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, the child." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should have had none more fantastic than this." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Stolen, then." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the for securing the situation." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips absolutely follow my advice in every respect." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not room had already been engaged for us. that, and I came down." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of most interesting one." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." asked. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "'Where could I find him?' take the flies, but not before." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. had died away into the silence from which it rose. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very him nearly every evening." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may unprofitable." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: time." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is awkward doing business with an alias." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem to-night?" I asked. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, following enigmatical notices: "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "No, I had a dozen." "To the police?" very old mansion. in him." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp to-morrow." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were up this clue while it is still hot." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "I will do it." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be danger is over." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "That is unusual in a young girl." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Yes, certainly." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'Never.' half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. of a light. "And on what day did he meet his death?" this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face purpose equally well?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "'A dozen yards or so.' "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "None." eat it." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy some mystery and the punishment of some crime." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "And now?" I asked. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. one's self under obligations.' have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon