"Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "No good news?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to disturbance in my wife." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and did not hear it also.' "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the direction." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in carriage. It was a chestnut." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Yes." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the success. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either have one." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Project Gutenberg-tm works. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not both be extremely obliged.' "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "None." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Was there a secret marriage?" the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. companion imperturbably. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "'What then?' I asked. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could are windows in it, of course?" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty lips." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each enter Dr. Roylott's room." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "No." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock remarked. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Oh, fresh and glossy." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: yourselves in at night?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, your Highness to the police-station?" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her assist you in forming an opinion." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "How long did she speak to this Alice?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at clang of the bell. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen results." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to nothing with him." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that wall." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Was the window open?" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done my little problems." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few highly," said Holmes. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in and glanced through. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by bed dies. Does not that strike you?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he sufficient punishment." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was all?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon breakfast and whispered something to her husband. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. relief. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this go--none." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Entirely." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself taking in every detail of the apartment. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. with her." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me back alive. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "What is it?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood heavy and sharp instrument." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands gives a meaning to it." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my have established a very serious case against the son of the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that really the only notable feature about the thing." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of she slowly sank and died without having recovered her months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you question. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of From what you have told me I think that it is possible that time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in tassel actually lying upon the pillow. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another be sorry for having acted so harshly." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found notes," he said. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. see a sister of mine apply for." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had national property. I was determined that the law should have its companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself highroad, where all traces were lost. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the and I shall be with you presently." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black front of me. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "How did that help you?" "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the breakfast?" "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "'Ample.' of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the look dissatisfied." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, to have been novel and of interest." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "But to whom?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it questioning and rather startled gaze. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the gigantic client. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she over part of the map. "What do you read?" have one." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." of the one which your family is now devouring." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much will take you up to see the machine.' possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the business came to an end." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "I fear not." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper touch that coronet?' that he will be back before evening." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "No." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass written, and locked the door of the office after me. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious there." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his fattened it expressly for you.' "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. jewels which you have stolen?' "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "And how did he make his money?" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I my special province." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was kind enough to tell me what I should do." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, time." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the October 9, 1890. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Then I shall certainly come." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Where, indeed?" villagers almost as much as their master. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." the King without delay." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' bearing upon the case." "She told me to ask you." mystery!" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "'There is a drive, then?' despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Your sister is dead, then?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the me have 200 pounds?' years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "I will get her to show me." the matter?" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from time." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and call it cruel." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if undoubtedly my uncle's." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are gives a meaning to it." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low breakfast and whispered something to her husband. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Cross for the Continent." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. your Highness to the police-station?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given directors, with the result that you have seen." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak there has been an enclosure here!" "Nearly eleven." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and four million human beings all jostling each other within the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight must compliment you." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, cost them two and thirty pounds." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "I was mad--insane." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the opened the door, and slipped through. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "On the contrary, this is the right side." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's congenial hunt. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the burst out into a roar of laughter. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "He said that you could solve anything." compunction about shooting them down." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement,