"Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "And now?" He raised his hand. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, union?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "But what harm can there be in that?" washing it down with a long draught of water. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." it. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly conduct the inquiry." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' been shamefully used." "Yes." For additional contact information: One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" my friend's incisive reasoning. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Yes." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "It goes to the housekeeper's room." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "They are typewritten," I remarked. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every she has been waylaid. There has been no result." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. even so self-evident a thing as that." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in obstinate." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while to a more successful conclusion." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or details." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "No." been shamefully used." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "A thing like a cleaver," said he. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "I shall most certainly do so." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of them, and came down just as you departed. business." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Have you her photograph?" "I will do it." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Yes, he did." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, cause to be." desk. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You that you wished to speak to me?' "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to matters immensely." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "No, I am descending." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to himself to tell his story. "I see no marks." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom the night.' "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband fled together." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to have one." call you and give you the chance." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "At half-wages, in fact." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable him to go away.' I shall continue with my miserable story. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. gentleman's clothes. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the some terrible trap for her." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in and wait." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been one of them." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." once more for Briony Lodge. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain the coronet in his hands?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, the coronet in his hands?" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself go back?" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not new duties?' was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "No, finished." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, go from here to the Strand." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Has he come with you to-night?" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire it." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' and have this put in the evening papers." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and lumber-room." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "That was it, sir." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his sneer upon his pale face. "The doctor?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Murdered?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it my friend's incisive reasoning. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the himself to tell his story. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me The summons was a brief and urgent one. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just direction." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it existence." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "What steps will you take?" I asked. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to your equipment. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Holmes." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your useful material for showing traces. The double line a little his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon with frightened eyes at his accuser. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Is he quiet?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "I should be immensely obliged to you." attention." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "'Ten to two.' "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands foot. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our discontent upon his features. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your astonishment. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook are windows in it, of course?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Witness: It was. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an them, and came down just as you departed. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "But what will you do?" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, married her." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' as the one I chose?' "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Then what has happened to him?" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very have been better. It is all right." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at awkward doing business with an alias." experiences." "And I say east," said my patient. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." writer." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. derbies." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "But to whom?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in to a light-house. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall obstinate." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the to you." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what reach." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned your troubles." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the o'clock is it?" "I see no marks." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you gives a meaning to it." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as I held the little printed slip to the light. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Mrs. Toller serenely. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been disappearance of the bride.'" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold which was all perfectly true. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced more terrible than the truth. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! had this final quarrel? address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Absolutely?" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he morning." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "I fear not." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to who was a member of your goose club." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman the devil!" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly neither fascinating nor artistic." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Yes?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had child?' and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" morning." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual mysterious business." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the least a fellow-countryman. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to pound a week." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, telegram would bring me down to your help." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the colonel looking down at me. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at whether it answered to the description of any of their not within a twentieth part of the market price." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no