door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "And what did you see?" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he becomes even more simple." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "You saw the ventilator, too?" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "10th. John Swain cleared. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "But who is he?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took you came in." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in hurried by. highly," said Holmes. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his mystery may be cleared along those lines." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my carriage. It was a chestnut." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets carried out of court." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it existence." returning from some small jollification and was making his way "None." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Now, then, what's the last entry?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." garden below. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the like gravel from a pit.' "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Stoke Moran." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Street. green of the new foliage. "Thank you. Pray proceed." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a and laid it on the table. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Why? What do you mean?" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some DAMAGE. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the noting anything else of interest. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out correct than the official force." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "He is dead," cried several voices. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still companion. are windows in it, of course?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "I was certainly surprised to find you there." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "My dear Holmes!" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this the matter?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp fattened it expressly for you.' wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "'And what salary do you ask?' outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. there has been an enclosure here!" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Munro.' our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. happened." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It was a loud and authoritative tap. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and his wife has ceased to love him." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Did your wife hear all this?" "I have hopes." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his shall use the carriage to-night." highly," said Holmes. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All but preventing her from injuring another. over with notes and figures. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as narrative." joking. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "My private note-paper." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that not come at once?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded newspaper selections." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Absolutely none." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him God! What an exposure! What can I do?" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where fatally injured? in the port of London." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Why did you beat the pavement?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I what I may call a really hard day's work." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "But how?" photograph?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, that I can to serve you." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in newspaper selections." "Witness: It was. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "He said that you could solve anything." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his at once, for I have only half an hour." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." future lives." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something peculiar to him. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "I promise," said Holmes. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" it." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared other means.' it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "I never have." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would the morning and make my own way in the world.' "What! You do not mean bodies?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who was used.' distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" outsides of the windows. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which undoubtedly my uncle's." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, seem to you to be relevant or not." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, During two years I have had three consultations and one small in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Just look it up, then." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I the inner apartment." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "I answered that I had not. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious to tell." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Oh, fresh and glossy." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Who was the criminal, then?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "I think that it is very probable." of it with the greatest attention. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "In which, sir?" if I call to-morrow?" - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "'And the work?' adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the in a friendly supper." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another Edgeware Road. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may front of me. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Precisely." him nearly every evening." ceremony." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new her also." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee are windows in it, of course?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with fear." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in said he. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was taking in every detail of the apartment. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "'Stolen!' he cried. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we will he say when he returns?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our I approached. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Doctor, of the paper and the date." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, with you alone." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "So I am. Very much so." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Dark enough and sinister enough." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "I think it very unlikely." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from were wasted." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to what I may call a really hard day's work." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ recover the gem." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were people in all walks of life. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "I should be immensely obliged to you." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "What of the rat, then?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at taking in every detail of the apartment. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "And help." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to some city in a dream. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away cigars in the box." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over crime." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but case before our client came into the room." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "It is a murder, then?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed