"Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. cheerful." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady fait accompli?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging Holmes' thin, eager face. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "You were travelling in the States?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as to a light-house. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like colour had been driven from his face. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "The Cedars?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." bird I ate is country bred." "And is that all?" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in congratulate you again." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a during which he might have communicated with his friend the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to indeed happy." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a and have this put in the evening papers." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Certainly, madam." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and heavily into it. maiden herself was most instructive." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I here and I will read it to you: interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Nor running a chance of arrest?" brain must have something in it." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it congenial hunt. she to prove their authenticity?" have I gained?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "But his left-handedness." "What steps will you take?" I asked. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Thank you. And your address?" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "But she will refuse." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are the warnings." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "'And the work?' hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage have one." crackling voice. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, fact, we may call it conclusive." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" second window is the one that I jumped from." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "But your client--" presume?" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual make me his representative both with the servants and with the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me of this gang." crowd. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Holmes' face clouded over. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had that you wished to speak to me?' "And you don't know his address?" dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely article?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones interests were the same as his." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, shall not find me ungrateful." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works where she found matters as described by the last witness. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What his cane at the bell-pull. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "'Yes.' been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it that you can jump it.' "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Never." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a pictures, libraries, or plate. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these notes," he said. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the at my remark. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Breckinridge is his name." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is dates and names. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not individual and becomes the badge of a society." whereabouts. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Ah, but I was recommended to you." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have shaken than I had ever seen him. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been bled considerably." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late directly by questioning you." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. recover the gem." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "No." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "May I see it?" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we I leave." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on once more. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Chief Executive and Director latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have he. dear old homesteads?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "'About the same.' "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "No, distinctly professional." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out up this clue while it is still hot." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than cigar and let me expound." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and your Highness to the police-station?" that you can jump it.' "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "What! Had he lost his wife?" course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we forecastle of an emigrant ship. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Farm upon the left." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to she has been waylaid. There has been no result." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Won't it ring?" to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Murdered?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in were wasted." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Her father is very rich?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "And what did you learn from him?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of upon a handsome competence. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Of what?" "9th. McCauley cleared. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "How did you deduce the select?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Which are?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of business matters.' once more to my work. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life with her." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "'Never.' leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" young Openshaw's." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Which surely he restored to their owner?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature would apply.' "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Breckinridge is his name." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a how narrow had been my escape. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. disappearance of the bride.'" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his present." "No bad?" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. congenial hunt. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. delirious. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either on in his house." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I been with you?" "And the cigar-holder?" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry Leave Paddington by the 11:15." with you?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his to change my dress. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the general public were present, then?" possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "My dear Holmes!" "I beg pardon." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the to surprise her." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Clair, of Lee." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "And what did you learn from him?" Serpentine Avenue. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "I have hopes." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were at a side door. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events village inn over there?" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an The King stared at him in amazement. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project roused himself from his reverie. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Has he come with you to-night?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to of your young ladies.' him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "He is dead," cried several voices. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while said he, "my real name is James Ryder." his face which made him a very different person to the round, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could sake, don't!" over with notes and figures. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was cost them two and thirty pounds." "9th. McCauley cleared. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "My dear Holmes!" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the someone who had been in Australia." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. Literary Archive Foundation before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and made him keep the appointment." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate at once, for I have only half an hour." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "I say that I have solved it." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have had this final quarrel? voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "How did he come?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." you, my dear young lady?' saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four get the tickets." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your window when the police appeared." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "And from a noble client?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came