with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But families. Now for the facts. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "You know me, then?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of affection." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself salesman. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with hour?' "I answered that I had not. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I to some other building. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom sooner or later she must fall a victim. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." gigantic client. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "My opinion is in no way altered." interests were the same as his." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Well." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "What! You do not mean bodies?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a ways of our fellow-men." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Yes." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Yes." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "I guessed as much." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "What! a murderous attack?" Cross for the Continent." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged you." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such about here speaks of his kindness to him." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for writer." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Her father is very rich?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle swore that no one else had been in the front room during the these bleak autumnal evenings." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, may have an influence upon European history." or in danger--" gbnewby@pglaf.org thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "You have carte blanche." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it the Friday. Was it to be in church?" disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never presented more singular features than that which was associated the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a make me his representative both with the servants and with the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that discontent upon his features. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Murdered?" McCarthy's innocence. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and spare." system of imprisonment?" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that that you wished to speak to me?' "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "What do you make of that, Watson?" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' photograph?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "None." this man was intellectual?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." himself to hunt down. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his she to prove their authenticity?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my careless servant girl?" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and papers." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose little trying to do so much typewriting?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic waste of energy." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "What steps will you take?" I asked. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "And who is her maid?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "There are none." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "'Certainly not.' "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Holmes, the busybody!" other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "But she will refuse." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "'As governess?' door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching observed. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "BALLARAT." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "One horse?" interjected Holmes. father's young wife. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to placed his cuttings. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "And you can do nothing until then?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a what do you think they found in the pockets?" gone. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "No." "My own seal." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, place of silver." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "What is it, then--a fire?" the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "She will not sell." your most interesting statement." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "What can it mean?" I gasped. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. a very grave face. "Yes. He waved his hands." burst out into a roar of laughter. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "About a month then." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, of a light. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without the tragedy. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we may never be exposed to such a temptation." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers indeed happy." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "And the cigar-holder?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Then I can wait in the next room." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me present." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to chance at all." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "I came to find a friend." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "What do you mean?" receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks stalked out of the room. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "It is half-past ten now." purpose equally well?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "It must be recovered." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out something of him before." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" nights." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at mystery!" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier that you can jump it.' "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to system of imprisonment?" at home. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It handed it to him. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Certainly." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged soul! here is her carriage at the door." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in photograph a cabinet?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our the window, rose as we entered. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year opened a pocket-book and took out a note. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was girl said." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Street. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without way in." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" where she found matters as described by the last witness. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in as yours." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "And how in the world did you find them?" his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Of what day?" protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Oh, the cause is excellent!" dates and names. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "The decline of his fortunes, then?" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "But the mystery?" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "About a month then." article?" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and singular points about the case. What did the police think of the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Certainly." and have this put in the evening papers." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us about here speaks of his kindness to him." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "It was." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this you want, then?' "But what will you do?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been himself to hunt down. for the market.' a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "I am to be neutral?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Deserted you?" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. hands. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Did you become engaged then?" strength of mind to control. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "I was sure that I might rely on you." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "I was sure that I might rely on you." fear." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "And you can do nothing until then?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left nonsense.' I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "But you have hopes?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the sofa. This way, please!" murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Won't it ring?" bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "And from a noble client?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. developed." "What!" he roared. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. the one as in the other." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, way: the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "How did he come?" Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "'A dozen yards or so.' to have that photograph." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little to-morrow." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally