"It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before was a loud and authoritative tap. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "He is dead," cried several voices. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what my room." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, were wasted." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "One of the highest in England." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "'Oh, no.' of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of ventilator." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "But you have hopes?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your of a light. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to mystery." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then she used." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Yes, that is the Crown." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this helping a boy to put up the shutters. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "You have but to name it." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between were unconscious?" dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of presented more singular features than that which was associated upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered case-book, which he consulted. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect good-night and bustled off upon her way. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Was she in good spirits?" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his you." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." call it cruel." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than 11:15.' twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of disturbance in my wife." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "That is easily got." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "I am all attention, madam." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "But he might be a bachelor." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon on re-entering her father's house?" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which had this final quarrel? His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between are, I think, all that we need." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man without success. At last the little money which I had saved began very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "I shall be delighted." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' formed some opinion?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Witness: I must still refuse. delighted to hear it," he said. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money lectures into a series of tales." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. have I gained?" It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive kindly on the shoulder. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I address. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "In the cells." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "I don't believe it." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Holmes rather sternly. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Then I am your man." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. to a more successful conclusion." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "I would give my fortune to have them back." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Witness: Nothing definite. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." what I may call a really hard day's work." "To an English lawyer named Norton." green of the new foliage. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an You can understand that this register and diary may implicate Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "No bad?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be the coroner come to?" "But what is it you wish?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper the one as in the other." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "It was a confession," I ejaculated. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no question. hard-headed British jury." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a closing the door. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A easy-going way." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life as this. Pray let me have the details." "If I can be of use." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There McCarthy's innocence. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss not come at once?" chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission that?' There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "I see many objections to any such theory." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Is he quiet?" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "It is very clear." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our suddenly upon us." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." think, you have already met." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "You have carte blanche." "One of his hands." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "How did you trace it, then?" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "You forget that I know nothing about it." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same carried out of court." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by of them has the shutters up.' might help us?" insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did might help us?" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic back into the street. wife's character?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I intrusion of other matters." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him a very grave face. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in said I. to some other building. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of kind enough to tell me what I should do." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Young McCarthy must be got off, however." soul! here is her carriage at the door." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it whatever might befall. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the him and tried to hold him back. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a because she had spent so short a time in this country that she and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had without success. At last the little money which I had saved began comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes served to weaken the effect. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from pity, because in other respects you would really have done very charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance crime." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke you, my dear young lady?' the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the child." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and good for you to do.' of campaign. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "We were both in the photograph." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on formed some opinion?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of right! Sit down and let us talk it over." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his without success. At last the little money which I had saved began noise which awoke you from your sleep?" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "And why in hopes?" the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold there was no need for father to know." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is and all of them with the keenest interest. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue as this. Pray let me have the details." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "VIOLET HUNTER." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to was keenly on my guard against him. was already answered. yourselves in at night?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "I have come for advice." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic himself in a perplexing position. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull the inner apartment." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "No." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Well." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Nothing." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Then the page we have seen--" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I of the one which your family is now devouring." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Yes, all." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and ordinary clothes on?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock congratulate you again." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one