firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, wedding?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "You saw the ventilator, too?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "And Miss Sutherland?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were here and I will read it to you: have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "It looks newer than the other things?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your think that any burglar could have done. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he fact, we may call it conclusive." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Did you become engaged then?" colonel looking down at me. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "And why in hopes?" memory. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was at home. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight for and were ordered to this address. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "No more words. Get out!" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "My own seal." Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my was keenly on my guard against him. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." there when the Rucastles went away." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. she used." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time success. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, woven round him. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and had picked up in the wood. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers man. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a get the tickets." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying upon the sideboard." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too to talk it over. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Pray do so." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out cost them two and thirty pounds." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "None." round with crates and massive boxes. pictures, libraries, or plate. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding waste of energy." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at side. outside. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your directors have had misgivings upon the subject." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "'As governess?' against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), you came in." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Won't it ring?" pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be I approached. you came in." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Yes." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "That is not always so easy." the dangers which encompass me." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, how narrow had been my escape. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Very truly yours, our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "No." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." tear off another piece?' "What shall I do?" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Yes, at the mines." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "I cannot think." entirely lost his self-respect." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. me what he had done with the three missing stones. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. humiliation." very morning of my second wedding." best detective that ever lived. you in your example." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in roused himself from his reverie. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had bird of prey. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my were wasted." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "'Ten to two.' saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "No?" "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I clang of the bell. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, strength of mind to control. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Tired-looking or fresh?" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "And that is--" laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Your presence might be invaluable." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the grasp, he hurried from the room. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "'What then?' I asked. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." fatally injured? We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, photograph a cabinet?" out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "To an end?" copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less John Swain, of St. Augustine. do." cup of tea. the roots. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the I am not easy in my mind about them." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid constraint." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived system of imprisonment?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter and a shock of very red hair. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which strong and stiff." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is meant it for the best. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As this man was intellectual?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and soul! here is her carriage at the door." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "We must have a cab." "'A dozen yards or so.' time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "And I to find an enemy." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident never will be, entirely cleared up. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and is four-and-twenty." might have a private word with us. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The in his power. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged whole matter to your consideration." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon to where he stood hid behind the curtain. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Was the window open?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! himself. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Very truly yours, later, upon the night of May 2nd." went to the Alpha were town bred." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "You did not overhear what they said?" an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little following enigmatical notices: one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, charged with?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not have been better. It is all right." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "But what will you do?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Come in!" said he. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular dead, shall be safe with us." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Married! When?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "I guessed as much." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a such attractions and accomplishments?' "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," when your master had gone out." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent forbidden door. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, second window is the one that I jumped from." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, you." cause to be." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with October 9, 1890. to his chemical studies. Dr. Gregory B. Newby are windows in it, of course?" "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a ceremony." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch three fields round his house, and there he would take his woven round him. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his him." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "How did that help you?" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged yourselves in at night?" if I call to-morrow?" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "In the cells." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. like gravel from a pit.' see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and said I. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are washing it down with a long draught of water. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good wedding?" "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. o'clock is it?" away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and eat it." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet to have that photograph." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "I guessed as much." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten