my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "'About the same.' reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "But how could you guess what the motive was?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there weary and pale-looking. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you said he at last. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, the inner apartment." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a together. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "And it is--" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." was shining brightly. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." morning." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a keep the flames under. sparkled upon his finger. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might sound at heart." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" hour." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic I nodded again. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "In the cells." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at ventilator." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of chemical work which was so dear to him. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "But what is it you wish?" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend place, I think that there is good ground to think that the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely a good hundred miles off by now." "How can you tell that?" "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Yes, only one." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry results." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "And how?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." thirty. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. what I may call a really hard day's work." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no a little more before I quite committed myself. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and and that he would see to anything that turned up. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "What will you do, then?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, of the one which your family is now devouring." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may figure." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "I am in hopes that she does." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that enough to aid us in our search." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "A call for help, you thought?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Yes, at the mines." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two comes from the middle window." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a coroner's jury." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "A call for help, you thought?" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "I will do it." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Again Holmes raved in the air. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Nothing?" assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by out." said I. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Then I do not see the point." crime." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet interests were the same as his." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "But we can't all be." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear bearing upon the case." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Texas, I think." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Texas, I think." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With and looked back. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "It is true that I have been generally successful." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable learned something! Where are the gems?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was The King stared at him in amazement. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet I nodded to show that I had heard. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil placed his cuttings. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the his eyes and forehead. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the Red-headed League." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped and no precautions can guard against." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich cup of tea. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, the bed, and you in that chair." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became trying to your nerves." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on disappearance of these gems?" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended trying to your nerves." ways of our fellow-men." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will have I gained?" upon the sideboard." present." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would your sleep?' beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with the little opening for the ventilator is." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no both be extremely obliged.' conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "He said too much." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. whatever might befall. should be taken.' folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Street. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and there is a decided draught." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "From his hat?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all off." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible yourselves in at night?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head good for you to do.' "Well, some hundreds of times." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Clair, of Lee." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. the stones. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it following enigmatical notices: the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of the so-precious time, but come!' a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." companion. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Pope's Court. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. with some details as to your case." meant." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and to-night?" I asked. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Did he not advertise?" the south-west, I see." London for the present?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "'How far from the body?' a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad of the one which your family is now devouring." over part of the map. "What do you read?" single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I DISSOLVED. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, remarked. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "'Which dealer's?' myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or breakfast?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some said he, "my real name is James Ryder." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself the very morning of the wedding." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed money should be paid at once.' "It surprised me." to some other building. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six families. Now for the facts. "But she could not love him." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Your presence might be invaluable." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. hardly wander." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said hand, madam?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of entirely devoid of interest." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 several quiet little villages up there." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of is a common subject for conversation. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "You have but to name it." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Eyford." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were is a common subject for conversation. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Dr. Gregory B. Newby education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, my secret was safe in his possession. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I 'please.'" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the south-west, I see." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "What can you not understand?" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "And you don't know his address?" do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the was already answered. cigar and let me expound." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the advice." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been him to be an active member of the medical profession." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. look upon these things in a different way." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "'Yes, it was gone.' "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. maiden herself was most instructive." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure washing it down with a long draught of water. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he lamp. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, You want to know what became of those geese?" Street. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "What will you do, then?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' writer." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole there were so many in the whole country as were brought together quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had crime." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "'I am sure if I had known--' "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its answer." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have and have this put in the evening papers." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "What are they?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study