"Your presence might be invaluable." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their page at http://pglaf.org Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Very. But will he see it?" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed fatally injured? deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small himself. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Yes." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "You will not go there first?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "A greater distance to travel." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of returned to France?" to tell." it right.' near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and said he. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "I cannot imagine." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between swore that no one else had been in the front room during the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, six. Come in!" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "What are they?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "He slept on the premises." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon the running down." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Yes, I have one waiting." gbnewby@pglaf.org "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have correct than the official force." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Will you go?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." locked. my little problems." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Holmes rather sternly. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. think that he is innocent?" professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid house for five minutes.' voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, wife's character?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was you." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and question. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you 'I should be able to look after that for you.' arrested. You then--" "Stolen, then." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning them?" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Entirely." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps desk. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "And you can do nothing until then?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close like that before?" in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER she might be summoned. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more page at http://pglaf.org and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Then I do not see the point." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much already been minutely examined." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the round with crates and massive boxes. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my cost them two and thirty pounds." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Of what?" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the forehead. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all My friend smiled. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. to miss it." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." conceal it?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Stolen, then." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." forebodings. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from it right.' It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Yes, from Horsham." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." mysterious end." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" tightly behind him. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are the house with me." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Certainly." you." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." sufficient punishment." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Perhaps we may make them less so." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am vague figure huddled up in the darkness. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of records." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." yet." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had gives a meaning to it." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "What, then?" "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "But you can know nothing of this?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Of what day?" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last once more. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City the bottom.' "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Does that suggest anything?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "No." "It looks newer than the other things?" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a happened." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he Arthur Conan Doyle wedding?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand a monotonous occupation." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's fact, we may call it conclusive." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "So I heard. You have him here?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "I know where it is." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning horse could go." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all bell. Holmes whistled. "Quite so." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." conclusions. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Very murderous indeed." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened mysterious business." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "I cannot imagine." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "What can you not understand?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the dramatic, in fact." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. forebodings. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "And how?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and how narrow had been my escape. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Very well, sir. And this stone?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Yes, certainly." nonsense.' could go. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the business?" learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been joking. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what was a loud and authoritative tap. man. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to you." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose like gravel from a pit.' "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking she slowly sank and died without having recovered her the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "But how could you guess what the motive was?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Why? What do you mean?" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "'A dozen yards or so.' what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were wife's character?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an some city in a dream. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide some terrible trap for her." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "And how did you verify them?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the see a sister of mine apply for." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his business at Coburg Square is serious." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or cigars in the box." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while suggested at once that there must be a communication between the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger and all of them with the keenest interest. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw wife's character?" the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? wedding?" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "I say that I have solved it." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated your equipment. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young like that before?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on so.' "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel me what he had done with the three missing stones. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" hour." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Then I am your man." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see