quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds attention." your troubles." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "I would give my fortune to have them back." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer shall use the carriage to-night." yourselves in at night?" do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "And I to find an enemy." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is this poor creature." details." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner voice, changing her seat as requested. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently this poor creature." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. this man was intellectual?" anything to do with the matter?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony green of the new foliage. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "But to whom?" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "VIOLET HUNTER." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be were wasted." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have for and were ordered to this address. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and miles off. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Holmes' thin, eager face. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Chief Executive and Director "'Ten to two.' (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "We must sit without light. He would see it through the ventilator." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "To an end?" papers on the sundial.'" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself the iron safe, which he closed upon it. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it there!' "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Here?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the memory. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress if I call to-morrow?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Who by?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which gone before you can get him to hospital." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "'And what salary do you ask?' I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "I cannot imagine." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "You were travelling in the States?" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two jewels which you have stolen?' held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, I nodded again. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' became a certainty. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible know that the truth is known." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are again." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, wedding?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your what is your own theory as to what took place?" research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "He slept on the premises." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Won't it ring?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations this poor creature." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look despaired of." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the third from London." opened the door, and slipped through. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile kind enough to tell me what I should do." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that relief. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who foresight and the moral retrogression?" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your lumber-room." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when little adventures." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his lost nothing by them." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "My private note-paper." you." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the during which he might have communicated with his friend the been deceived." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Does that suggest anything?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from delirious. "Precisely so. But how--" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes seen the man in the road." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the village inn over there?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. few hundred pounds.' The note was undated, and without either signature or address. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. once more to my work. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as dramatic, in fact." upon the shelf for the interim." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The rose-bushes. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Then you may be so with me." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then examination of the premises, but without finding anything which a little more before I quite committed myself. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I suddenly upon us." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner had this final quarrel? condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on to-morrow." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Very. But will he see it?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "I am armed." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "What! a murderous attack?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, must be when I saw the door open.' "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate round with crates and massive boxes. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little ashen face. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have it. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened that, and I came down." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns security.' X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "And I." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back I think that I could be of assistance to you." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It point our research must commence, and we will begin it by little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" not come at once?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "But how will you look?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." think that any burglar could have done. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to we went to search for him, face downward in a little in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "By all means." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was in darkness. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "From his hat?" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "And what did you learn from him?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "So I have heard." yards of it?' he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "What steps will you take?" I asked. out." "'Yes, sir.' wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." you." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "That was it, sir." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a newspaper selections." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the is acting for the best. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and You want to know what became of those geese?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had a room. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold you?" "She will not sell." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to presume?" at home. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut think you a quite exceptional woman." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "I should be immensely obliged to you." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. she to prove their authenticity?" breakfast." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are advice." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. details." yet." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Watson," he said cordially. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my nothing of it?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy habit of advancing money.' and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and directly by questioning you." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may come either from the window or the door. My attention was was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months words came to my lips. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are your own bird, so if you wish--" the devil!" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other knowledge of the world." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall over part of the map. "What do you read?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the past. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony and it need not interfere very much with one's other the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this