"Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear have I gained?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "The vanishing of the lady." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. new acquaintance to Baker Street. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "I will try. What is it?" I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of to-night?' goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "But who is he?" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Who by?" habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite breakfast?" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what ran thus: tell them apart.' look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the you in your example." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "At the wedding breakfast." "My Mary? Impossible!" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able main points of my analysis." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "'In my own bureau.' "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised definite end. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Entirely." for securing the situation." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "I was mad--insane." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the than was visible to me." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Holmes, the busybody!" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able will he say when he returns?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "'And what salary do you ask?' scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" him to be an active member of the medical profession." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me at once, for I have only half an hour." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, address. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "It is half-past ten now." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" pound a week." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. public press." think, you have already met." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "'I have already given you my word.' hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the records." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been village inn over there?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such fatally injured? "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. McCarthy's innocence. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was there." as this. Pray let me have the details." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "I will not look." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" directly by questioning you." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his most important business. It is probable that he will be away all happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "If so, much may have happened between." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a come either from the window or the door. My attention was say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which most interesting one." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "But his left-handedness." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "So I heard. You have him here?" stammered. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the legal crime." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. pictures, libraries, or plate. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on the matter?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, at home. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "But you can know nothing of this?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you I shall continue with my miserable story. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "He is dead," cried several voices. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." lamp in his hand. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "And leave your case unfinished?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body of note-paper. It read in this fashion: in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from me what he had done with the three missing stones. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be where she found matters as described by the last witness. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "You know me, then?" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Yes, that is the Crown." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Yes." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the three fields round his house, and there he would take his taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man highly," said Holmes. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. fatally injured? that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no mysterious business." writing, and yet I know it well." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have which our visitor detailed to us. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I lost nothing by them." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The go back?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a think, you have already met." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Breckinridge is his name." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of it." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and simple cases which are so extremely difficult." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some of his shoulders. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, But Holmes shook his head gravely. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "The gentleman I describe." affection." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of your troubles." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I the nursery. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Yes, that is the Crown." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down which we had just quitted. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "We were both in the photograph." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He allusion to a rat. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Well, some hundreds of times." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "There are none." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, cause to be." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Sutherland?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Never to return." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Come in!" said Holmes. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "And who is her maid?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the purpose of examination. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been not personally threatened." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "What then?" was not a bird to be seen there. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in pictures, libraries, or plate. "It surprised me." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Pray do so." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. writer." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Ah!" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when you." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between absolutely follow my advice in every respect." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that with her." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Eh? What was that?" upon a handsome competence. you, my dear young lady?' 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! matter." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." it were putty." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "I am to be neutral?" happened." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich could gather together that I was able to avert another public used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "'Never,' said I. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head to-morrow." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Perhaps I have." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic believe that I should never have any practice at all. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. chemical work which was so dear to him. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, the so-precious time, but come!' you, my dear young lady?' "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before the ceiling. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "He said too much." I was concerned in it." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "'Is purely nominal.' "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was was keenly on my guard against him. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his father's place of business?" again." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "A confidential servant?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "But I have heard all that you have heard."