visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how bled considerably." his eyes and forehead. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and it means?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "And on what day did he meet his death?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" this man was intellectual?" my little problems." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Gutenberg-tm License. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "'Then let me do so?' "No." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss matters immensely." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." good for you to do.' when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but becomes even more simple." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "What! a murderous attack?" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and at home. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "My dear Holmes!" been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Dark enough and sinister enough." "The doctor?" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said believe that I should never have any practice at all. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the enough to aid us in our search." never came back." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we woman." "Then I do not see the point." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I begin with, and I had not got mine yet." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert or other trace. But how on earth--" in his power. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "I am armed." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very room. "How did you trace it, then?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Married! When?" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "I assure you that I am in your hands." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "How about poison?" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "No good news?" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied into the room. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than your co-operation." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of if she died from some sudden fright." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Has he come with you to-night?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "That is it on the dressing-table." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw noting anything else of interest. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a married her." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Entirely." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very conclusions. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "None." "But you can know nothing of this?" "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated giving me time to thank him. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, enter into my head. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "You horrify me." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his the stones. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very his huge brown hands. "When did it break out?" daring than any effort of the imagination." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' which are rolled in Rotterdam." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to from the brougham. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I whatever might befall. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Stolen." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "And I." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "It must be recovered." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police giving me time to thank him. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door constraint." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Dr. Gregory B. Newby to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt both be extremely obliged.' varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "She will not sell." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of You want to know what became of those geese?" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at I approached. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "It must be recovered." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "My dear Holmes!" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the have not had my rubber." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Did you become engaged then?" Holmes' face clouded over. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such your sleep?' matter over." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' your only hope of safety." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be best detective that ever lived. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "It certainly sounds feasible." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "I assure you that I am in your hands." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but nonsense.' sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after and have this put in the evening papers." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to the window, rose as we entered. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "And on what day did he meet his death?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Where did he live, then?" "Yes, all." Munro.' he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose people in all walks of life. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, do.' would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole down. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he derbies." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of the driver. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Quite so. She has her freedom." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a you, my dear young lady?' Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "I was mad--insane." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, standing smiling on the door-step. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue will he say when he returns?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Has he come with you to-night?" problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "I will not look." indeed which he could not unravel. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. all?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was the window, rose as we entered. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Nothing?" "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper it." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but in his power. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. have an American origin." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. seen the man in the road." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in awkward doing business with an alias." "To an English lawyer named Norton." "None." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "'I shall certainly be there.' for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked my friend's incisive reasoning. just called myself is not exactly my own." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project be best to do. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a late." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I trying to your nerves." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting situation." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than hand, madam?" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which was a perfect sample of the class. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into call the police, let the police find what they can.' ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Nothing?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. the child." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' entirely lost his self-respect." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "I should be immensely obliged to you." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the was keenly on my guard against him. "On Monday." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that the very letters. But what is this written above them?' the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "I have my revolver," said I. them, and came down just as you departed. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Where is it, then?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There off." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love were new raised from a basin. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots learned something! Where are the gems?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Can I be of assistance?" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from about. that you can jump it.' room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what note?" that, and I came down." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were recover the gem." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the problems help me to do so." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an