some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom invisible to me," I remarked. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, not come at once?" with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Where did you address your letters, then?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming happened." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become presume?" Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from shadow pass over his face as I spoke. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP might help us?" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "I will get her to show me." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress Holmes. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the held up the lantern and gazed about him. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of notes," he said. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Dirty?" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a girl said." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the unprecedented a position." than was visible to me." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled October 9, 1890. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well highroad, where all traces were lost. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there there is a decided draught." "That you are never beaten." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he several quiet little villages up there." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at man. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "No." this man was intellectual?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "There is the writing." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "But to whom?" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "No, but the enclosure is." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Not in a good cause." locked." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for clang of the bell. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the his huge brown hands. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a companion. approach us with offers to donate. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Oh, fresh and glossy." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "About a month then." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that examine." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing is entirely a question of barometric pressure." was already answered. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away do you make of it all?" his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Henry Baker is a member." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." asked with his eyes open. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the breakfast?" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do one of the states of the Union." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp the date of his supposed suicide." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "And for present expenses?" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and do.' should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "And you don't know his address?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Why did you beat the pavement?" "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." posted to-day." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "It is true that I have been generally successful." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "'Not at all. I only doubt--' not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a chair. "Pray continue your narrative." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. pictures, libraries, or plate. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was danger is over." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, himself. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon observed. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who present." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a The summons was a brief and urgent one. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, in. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "The rest you will leave in our hands." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "I think that it is very probable." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of of his shoulders. he bowed and left the room without another word. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Street. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six gentleman's clothes. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Yes, certainly." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always read over the extraordinary announcement. "So it appears." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he me, and I could not think that his explanation of the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "By no means." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "I will not look." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father up this clue while it is still hot." "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton know that the truth is known." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." enough to aid us in our search." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. fait accompli?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "I will get her to show me." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Then what has happened to him?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" newspaper selections." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Lestrade of Scotland Yard." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? where she found matters as described by the last witness. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his where Mr. Fordham shows you.' old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in copied or distributed: was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is remarked. cigar and let me expound." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work despair." what I may call a really hard day's work." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Then what has happened to him?" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend heavy and sharp instrument." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by new acquaintance to Baker Street. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Have you it here?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable unprecedented a position." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Absolutely none." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, at a side door. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. I nodded to show that I had heard. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "My opinion is in no way altered." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Yes, sir." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "I don't believe it." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." DISSOLVED. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making pictures, libraries, or plate. know that the truth is known." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be the south-west, I see." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "In San Francisco, a year ago." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by the Assizes." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "But he might be a bachelor." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Not particularly." footfalls from the street. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some sake, don't!" For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know key of the affair now." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of here." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Imitated." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, likely to be some crony of the landlady's." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I window when the police appeared." to arrive at through this?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his you for a few hours?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "But his lameness?" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without too. less than 26s. 4d. strode off upon his way. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. depend upon my doing so.' of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps better grown goose." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "'A dozen yards or so.' We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they against a man in the prime of life?" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "'As governess?' "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "It was." is," said he presently: pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. acquaintance?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to strong and stiff." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Not I." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." thought that she would have been so carried away." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "And you don't know his address?" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "I should like to see him very much." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some again." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a that refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me not interfere, come what may. You understand?" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits some water from a caraffe. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His of Fenchurch Street." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "BALLARAT." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora bill, which interests me deeply." once more to my work. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "VIOLET HUNTER." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something