responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious letters?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all hard-headed British jury." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Here?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling straightened it out again. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it look dissatisfied." "Is he quiet?" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "He might." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she clang of the bell. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official read it out to me." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. invisible to me," I remarked. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "You are hungry," I remarked. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into DAMAGE. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a to-night?' clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "'A dozen yards or so.' course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. see me here to avoid scandal." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an have had none more fantastic than this." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work paper in the air. "Get out!" said he. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an most important business. It is probable that he will be away all lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a questionable one." "Eh? What was that?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one society." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "It is very clear." drove away. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his the little opening for the ventilator is." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Well, some hundreds of times." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds to surprise her." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You begin with, and I had not got mine yet." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we himself. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left less than 26s. 4d. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called at home. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "You are all wrong." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me information in his hands the value of which he did not himself Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in it means?" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage hour?' present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. my friend's incisive reasoning. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "What do you mean?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk certainly not very gracious." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Who by?" round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "And I say east," said my patient. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a which should have the effect of calling the attention of the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of off." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg examination of the premises, but without finding anything which he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "I am in hopes that she does." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter derbies." families. Now for the facts. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Sutherland. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "I was mad--insane." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Sutherland?" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." appointment with me for six o'clock?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever of his shoulders. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This mystery!" persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his followed. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had name is different." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," business." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our me have 200 pounds?' finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the window, rose as we entered. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." be.' outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "What are they?" he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a to-morrow." fear." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Will you bet, then?" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "I see no marks." peculiar to him. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Very murderous indeed." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "A confidential servant?" "He said too much." "I have my revolver," said I. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones electronic works ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Then, how do you know?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "No good news?" evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Why? What do you mean?" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Never." "And why?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, cigar and let me expound." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may footfalls from the street. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton chair. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "What, then, did Peterson do?" The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as of it with the greatest attention. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but may have an influence upon European history." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me closely." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads young Openshaw's." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "That is unusual in a young girl." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "It looks newer than the other things?" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the unprecedented a position." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from a monotonous occupation." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his useful material for showing traces. The double line a little severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation stammered. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the paper in the air. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "I am sure." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and three of the beryls in it, was missing. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite be. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), III. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of results." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria any more." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of out." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. business." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The mystery!" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple shall not find me ungrateful." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Yes, it was twisted." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was out of this horrible affair." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Breckinridge is his name." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." that?' one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Texas, I think." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or works. See paragraph 1.E below. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "No, I had a dozen." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet ordinary clothes on?" affection." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Just look it up, then." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." me upon any point which I do not make clear." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his address. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new should be taken.' steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Does that suggest anything?" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem away into the river." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his been anything against him. He had for years been known as a he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "That is possible." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man she to prove their authenticity?" "'And the work?' think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Not in a good cause." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are both be extremely obliged.' swore that no one else had been in the front room during the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "And you thought he was pulled back?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for cost them two and thirty pounds." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the him to go away.' note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the could gather together that I was able to avert another public for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock the coronet in his hands?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange voice. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as see a sister of mine apply for." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out horse could go." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do him, that man would not have given me such complete information thirty. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but lost nothing by them." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since