trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no as he remarks, very much against the son." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you McCarthy's innocence. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over girl said." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. is so. I know all about McCarthy." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Nothing?" detained." "If I can be of use." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, do you make of it all?" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" whole matter to your consideration." with frightened eyes at his accuser. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all there has been an enclosure here!" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "'And what salary do you ask?' Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the to talk it over. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other tell him that I know him to be innocent." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the http://gutenberg.net/license). much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been acted in my house last night?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I along the entire front of the house, with three long windows that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "And your mother is alive?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to unprofitable." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "You are all wrong." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My and your relations to her." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Will you bet, then?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' forehead. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Have you her photograph?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, him to be an active member of the medical profession." "And your father? Did you tell him?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had definite end. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Yes, only one." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of habit of advancing money.' with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good of note-paper. It read in this fashion: slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility I shall communicate with you." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal was used.' active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "And how have you succeeded?" union?" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off ways including including checks, online payments and credit card happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. distinguish the words: have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "By train from Waterloo." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." sufficient punishment." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "My own seal." bonnet, and went out." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "It's nothing of the kind." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if appeal." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Holmes." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the respectable self." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the important." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "But how?" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which again." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine occurred." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had their singular warning or token before them when starting upon out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Yes." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Entirely." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Certainly." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "No." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most that you wished to speak to me?' to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and me, and I could not think that his explanation of the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to a little more before I quite committed myself. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a all?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes woven round him. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery six. Come in!" remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without there." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. delirious. "I cannot tell." where we are going." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive despaired of." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. were wasted." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "I cannot tell." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge straighten it?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming know all about it," he snarled. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Yes. He waved his hands." "Which are?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it Serpentine Avenue. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." off." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "We must sit without light. He would see it through the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "What I expected to see." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I became a certainty. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up said Mr. Holder. our word." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Pray be precise as to details," said he. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the matter." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly matter." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not in him." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love imbecility!" he cried. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "'You doubt its value?' he asked. murdered man." forbidden door. strength." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "It was a confession," I ejaculated. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the certainly do as you advise." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now fishes. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and head. So long, then!" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had round with crates and massive boxes. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of individual and becomes the badge of a society." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a generous with you in money matters.' conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Certainly." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, corner of the building. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Quite so." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid not within a twentieth part of the market price." views." might help us?" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" amused." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of chill to my heart. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad said I. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "The murder was done with it." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "And why in hopes?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, allusion to a rat. breakfast." cigar and let me expound." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" noble correspondent could be. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are existence." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Bought." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you individual and becomes the badge of a society." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by asked with his eyes open. nonsense.' Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Proceed, then." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "'Very good.' "But she will refuse." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a sofa. This way, please!" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "And what did you see?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it tied." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "And how did you find out?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His train from Paddington which would bring you there at about an introduction to him?" pound a week." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "But what is it you wish?" tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for of the one which your family is now devouring." man. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this less than 26s. 4d. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to