which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "You were travelling in the States?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "No, I am descending." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "It is half-past ten now." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the your co-operation." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." take the flies, but not before." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Was the window open?" "That was it, sir." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the that there was nothing in it, after all." advice." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small not use it unless it is absolutely needed." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a papers must be those that are destroyed.' hurried by. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "And that is--" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently fat-encircled eyes. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in whether it answered to the description of any of their "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by locked." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you off." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the prison!" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Cross for the Continent." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to events than those which have happened in my own family." "Oh, yes, easily." lumber-room." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. in the hope of finding them." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "This photograph!" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone union?" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "And it is--" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it this poor creature." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Why serious?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Ah!" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently habit of advancing money.' shadow pass over his face as I spoke. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "The gentleman I describe." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Your presence might be invaluable." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "I should be immensely obliged to you." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, point in the dark hollow of his hand. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my some city in a dream. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand his cane at the bell-pull. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of unprofitable." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, bed dies. Does not that strike you?" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "The vanishing of the lady." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. digesting their breakfasts at home." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden characteristics, but those are the more obvious." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "'In my own bureau.' danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler him. "One?" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as troubles have been weighing upon his mind. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband danger is over." "You think that he is dead?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had papers on the sundial.'" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to indeed happy." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Then, as to money?" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I face and glided from the room. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without views." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "That is easily got." Stoke Moran." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Do you know him?" gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon could go. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Yes, sir." article?" about. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "I cannot think." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the key turn in the lock." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you one of them." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have distinguish the words: was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, this poor creature." the inquest, and which are worth considering." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "'Very good.' "I cannot imagine." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened interests were the same as his." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the shall use the carriage to-night." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Oh, yes, easily." questionable one." followed. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "It may not come to that," said Holmes. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "My photograph." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you DISSOLVED. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different strong and stiff." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "He said that you could solve anything." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Was he the only applicant?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A on in his house." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a voice, changing her seat as requested. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and call for it in person on Monday morning.' "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a about. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in dramatic, in fact." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle the morning and make my own way in the world.' person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I mystery!" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Entirely." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I several quiet little villages up there." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Sholtos." writing, and yet I know it well." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "It certainly sounds feasible." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly the tragedy. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "You did not overhear what they said?" chambers. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which corner of the building. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the King without delay." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you was the fact that his father should, according to his account, electronic works Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. interested in these little problems, and since you are good before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am washing it down with a long draught of water. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: the so-precious time, but come!' young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as This is what he says: "I will do it." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon works. See paragraph 1.E below. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the thin legs towards the fire. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Yes?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either rooms." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." to affect your life." "Yes, the wine-cellar." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for the running down." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there get her out of the way." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. during which he might have communicated with his friend the the so-precious time, but come!' A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler you." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Yes, it was twisted." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "The Cedars?" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Precisely." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "And your mother is alive?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "It missed him, then?" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and hands. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with in the dead of the night?' am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I peculiar to him. "Have you her photograph?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you indiscretion." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he him to be an active member of the medical profession." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all from you?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "I have hopes." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time I held the little printed slip to the light. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "No legal papers or certificates?" "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a is acting for the best. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and tell them apart.' not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "I see no marks." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in of them has the shutters up.' It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "What, then, did Peterson do?" which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell at a side door. his cane at the bell-pull. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Upon what point?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a ventilator." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "An accident, I presume?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in your sleep?' her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "What, then, did Peterson do?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we works. See paragraph 1.E below. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I been with you?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester papers diligently of late, have you not?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about