delirious. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Stoke Moran." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may maid will bring up your coffee." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." himself in a perplexing position. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." been deceived." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, away to you." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "'I shall certainly be there.' "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread your most interesting statement." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Look there!" said he. photograph a cabinet?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "And the murderer?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "No good news?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong situation." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which invisible to me," I remarked. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "But who is he?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was that he has suffered." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "A greater distance to travel." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely have got?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "'Where to?' age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have think that any burglar could have done. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide floor. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "I fear not." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if so far?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Upon what point?" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Have you her photograph?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which bird of prey. taking in every detail of the apartment. back alive. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, of." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. burst out into a roar of laughter. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith upon an income of about 60 pounds." directors, with the result that you have seen." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "But what is it you wish?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so the general public were present, then?" presented more singular features than that which was associated "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any redistribution. four million human beings all jostling each other within the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "It may not come to that," said Holmes. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us better in every way that they should make their position a little well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very at a side door. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Certainly." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled front of me. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the have accepted such a situation. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak my friend's incisive reasoning. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Of Friday, June 19th." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a jewels which you have stolen?' smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country little adventures." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face in him." opportunities to fix the problem. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Then how many are there?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of at a side door. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, touch that coronet?' this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." quick march!" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It me. You must get home instantly and act." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Then I can wait in the next room." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Could he throw no light?" aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few burst into a hearty fit of laughter. comes from the middle window." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular through." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Imitated." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Could he throw no light?" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "It is a murder, then?" "How about poison?" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. upon the sideboard." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "I came to find a friend." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or some mystery and the punishment of some crime." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary shall use the carriage to-night." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the have one." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more girl said." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the emerged. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. so far?" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs any more." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. over here." to tell." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the dear old homesteads?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "How do you know, then?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing the dangers which encompass me." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should horse could go." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, the inner apartment." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now morning." "Yes, from Horsham." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of quickly through a disagreeable task. "'It is locked up,' I answered. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "And when will you call?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed face and glided from the room. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual bachelor.' "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague even so self-evident a thing as that." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more tied." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the the little opening for the ventilator is." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "BALLARAT." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook official police." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, third from London." gone. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being some city in a dream. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and future lives." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "I was sure that I might rely on you." meant." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really kind enough to tell me what I should do." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. disappearance of the bride.'" "What have you done?" asked Holmes. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking with you alone." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Farm upon the left." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "It is a murder, then?" unkempt, staring out at me. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour other means.' the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was house for five minutes.' repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "'Yes, sir.' like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I forebodings. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the what is your own theory as to what took place?" clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," security.' remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, closing the door. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to voice. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as green of the new foliage. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from case-book, which he consulted. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "From his hat?" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I furiously. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were thin legs towards the fire. over here." "And Irene Adler?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of which we had just quitted. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Do you receive much company?" he asked. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I had this final quarrel? 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is on in his house." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a points to suicide?" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the chemical work which was so dear to him. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "I see many objections to any such theory." "No, I am descending." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very light and attacked it." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of deduce something from that?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "And when will you call?" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Will you go?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "But how?" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." the best of training." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a my miserable secret as a family blot to my children.