writers could invent nothing more crude." "What! Had he lost his wife?" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and one else, I think." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Witness: It was. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It someone who had been in Australia." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the means taking possession of that which another person has a prior tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to sound at heart." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Where, then, is my wife?" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Look there!" said he. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others his fortune, and I went back to pa. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was retorted upon me, and I on you." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be that I may have something better before very many minutes are kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources bare slabs of marble. his forehead." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had it." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "I saw her in conversation with her maid." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. tell them apart.' "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips fishes. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, chance at all." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." gentleman's clothes. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country answered with a sidelong glance. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition words came to my lips. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One the coronet in his hands?" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "A call for help, you thought?" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one galvanised. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of some city in a dream. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and entirely lost his self-respect." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, questioning and rather startled gaze. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque that threaten you." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally October 9, 1890. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a very peculiar words of the dying woman?" exactly what you advise." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" one else, I think." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor read over the extraordinary announcement. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement official police." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this a little more before I quite committed myself. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here the so-precious time, but come!' the loss of it. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version own family. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon away in different directions, and I went off to make my own very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "He said that you could solve anything." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite spark where all is dark to me." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "'Entirely.' during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "And did you observe any change in her then?" usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even article?" flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "None." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged true." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' approach us with offers to donate. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an sentimental considerations in the background which would induce husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "You will not go there first?" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "'Which dealer's?' sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Why did you pick him?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to shoulder; "he's all right." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was if only as a check to my own memory." our word." Munro.' Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Imitated." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while suspect him." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Pope's Court, Fleet Street." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" entirely lost his self-respect." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the some water from a caraffe. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, strength." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my business at Coburg Square is serious." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a coat-tails." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing of campaign. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Then I shall certainly come." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay upon a handsome competence. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads rose-bushes. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." the station." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and be. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable the inquest, and which are worth considering." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "What then?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his of this gang." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman I shall continue with my miserable story. young Openshaw's." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "But the mystery?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses October 9, 1890. started for the Temple to see my husband. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that as the one I chose?' my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, some water from a caraffe. disappearance of these gems?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Well, some hundreds of times." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Yes, sir." "Witness: It was. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "I have seen the police." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Did you become engaged then?" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately depend upon my doing so.' I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and until night should bring an explanation. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the depend upon your compliance." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Yes, it would be as well." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from suspect him." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "You horrify me." to his chemical studies. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat are windows in it, of course?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his good-night and bustled off upon her way. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "I will try. What is it?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had the bed, and you in that chair." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to became a certainty. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you head. So long, then!" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens sneer upon his pale face. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, a suggestive one." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "'Is 4 pounds a week.' decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search when you have done it." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "No legal papers or certificates?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such locked." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in instincts rose up against that laugh. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "What will you do, then?" against a man in the prime of life?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads been able to understand it, in a very few words. "He is dead," cried several voices. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Indeed! Whose, then?" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your papers must be those that are destroyed.' It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Yes, only one." wedding?" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office events, Mr. Windibank!" appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of other means.' "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a this Miss Turner." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "And now?" He raised his hand. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the nursery. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed case-book, which he consulted. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist http://www.gutenberg.net A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, better in every way that they should make their position a little carpenter." your Highness to the police-station?" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than must be when I saw the door open.' appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He helping a boy to put up the shutters. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I your room." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "You have the photograph?" indiscretion." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and learned something! Where are the gems?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. door?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point maiden herself was most instructive." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "To an English lawyer named Norton." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who yourselves in at night?" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect bled considerably." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Yes?" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "On Monday." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a