pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." companion. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he to you." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "You have it, sir, just as it happened." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we him to be an active member of the medical profession." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only meanly of me." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Could he throw no light?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Then I do not see the point." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly know all about it," he snarled. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on all-comprehensive glances. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" my former friend and companion. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the placed his cuttings. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to main points of my analysis." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "It is possible." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "And for present expenses?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made http://www.gutenberg.net upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "I will, Miss Turner." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting fear." thought that she would have been so carried away." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some which was all perfectly true. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he fuss that is made over them." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of front of the hall door has given its name to the place. seem to you to be relevant or not." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." question. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland them, and came down just as you departed. "I will do it." "I will get her to show me." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "'Ample.' question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to the matter?" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's problems help me to do so." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time lids now and glanced across at his visitor. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to one else, I think." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "'Most admirably.' "No, distinctly professional." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Certainly." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official ready to-morrow?' "It is very kind of you." pressing in one house as in another. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. persecution?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow your room." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' you?' stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw threw himself down with his face to the pillow. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "But his left-handedness." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a locked. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal miles off. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" purpose equally well?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off British peeress.'" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "And now?" He raised his hand. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project flock.' crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an which it had come upon my father." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "That is also quite modern," said the lady. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." little adventures." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out there!' cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her and looked back. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "I answered that I had not. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending tapping his fingers upon the table. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "You were travelling in the States?" "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' singular points about the case. What did the police think of the to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you upon an income of about 60 pounds." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been you." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it this remarkable episode. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be you." "I have my revolver," said I. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to a room. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the breakfast." IS "An accident, I presume?" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." what I may call a really hard day's work." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Yes." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "I think that I had better go, Holmes." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the south-west, I see." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "You horrify me." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should shag which I had seen upon the previous night. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." was it brought him the coronet? galvanised. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Yes, sir." brandy and water within his reach. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "'And the work?' firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed one of them." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a fled together." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. congenial hunt. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us case-book, which he consulted. weighed down with some great anxiety. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any be. round and wave him away like that.' years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock done what I asked you, Jones?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "'I have heard so.' scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and mysterious business." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "'In my own bureau.' the child." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but strength." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped do.' in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "It may not come to that," said Holmes. carriage. It was a chestnut." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the one as in the other." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." grasp, he hurried from the room. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. both be extremely obliged.' and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were friends, not even his own brother. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out prepare for the new role I have to play." "I don't believe it." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "And what did you learn from him?" observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Never." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Yes, they were peculiar boots." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It I think that I could be of assistance to you." the address that was given us in the advertisement. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" triumphant cloud from his cigarette. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "That is unusual in a young girl." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the done what I asked you, Jones?" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "The Cedars?" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "And how in the world did you find them?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Was he the only applicant?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but you." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Yes, it was twisted." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" there." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Yes, it was twisted." I held the little printed slip to the light. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. respectable self." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss became a certainty. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. London for the present?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "I saw her in conversation with her maid." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' with some details as to your case." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Yes. He waved his hands." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper test if we have an answer to our advertisement." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even wanted for ourselves." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future II. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought derbies." "Upon what point?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "You horrify me!" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" crime. would then never go into court at all." the one as in the other." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Eh? What was that?" better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite hurried away. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing with you?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a the coronet in his hands?" time." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "It is true that I have been generally successful." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed stepfather?"