me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Yes, it was twisted." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, everything which you would wish to know." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in village inn over there?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to generous with you in money matters.' of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "'About the same.' preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Dirty?" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what showing my impatience. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Very well, sir. And this stone?" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. salesman. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "What do you mean?" hereditary King of Bohemia." following enigmatical notices: nothing with him." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A States. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open bedroom door." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival States. "'Certainly not.' "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "But your client--" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in room. "'Ten to two.' pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "My dear Holmes!" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last arrangements." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to fact, we may call it conclusive." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "How can you tell that?" "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me believe that I should never have any practice at all. "But who is he?" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security my room." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" key of the affair now." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Do you know him?" ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, it means?" meant it for the best. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, where we are going." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Pray do so." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt in one or two places in England?' we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He stammered. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess Holmes. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "And why?" "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue nothing of it?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this the one as in the other." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From in him." "You horrify me." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Yes, it was twisted." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. and no precautions can guard against." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering noise which awoke you from your sleep?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a call for it in person on Monday morning.' while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a to tell." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "It certainly sounds feasible." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "That is easily got." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all late!' his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at his knees, staring into the fire. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good be there in time for your coming." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment test if we have an answer to our advertisement." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the photograph?" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "And how?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the trifles." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Yes." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with situation." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to read over the extraordinary announcement. "Come in!" said Holmes. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "But what harm can there be in that?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You a little more before I quite committed myself. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg fear." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Very much so." chambers. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. me. You must get home instantly and act." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly that you saw all that I did." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Yes." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I The note was undated, and without either signature or address. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "It missed him, then?" and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "My dear Holmes!" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "I have come for advice." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" would then never go into court at all." young Openshaw's." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday the side-table." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Watson," he said cordially. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has opened a pocket-book and took out a note. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "It came here." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he I am not easy in my mind about them." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "'Ten to two.' reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce to take care of herself." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "And how in the world did you find them?" explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. as he remarks, very much against the son." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, and the church but not where the lady lived." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, helping a boy to put up the shutters. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "But how will you look?" burst out into a roar of laughter. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. Sholtos." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be *** START: FULL LICENSE *** shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours important." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "What will you say?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found note?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Yes, I have one waiting." "The landlord of the Alpha." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Then I do not see the point." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Ten will be early enough." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is the coronet at all injured?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Then what has happened to him?" at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "I cannot imagine." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of should be so warm over such a trifle." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and the date of his supposed suicide." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' here." status with the IRS. wedding?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "What, then, did Peterson do?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "In which, sir?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "I cannot tell." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "A confidential servant?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Then I shall certainly come." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Proceed, then." "No, I am descending." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? footfalls from the street. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "How did he come?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the matter." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Street. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third with her." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "I say that I have solved it." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn at once, for I have only half an hour." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Do you receive much company?" he asked. delighted to hear it," he said. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "'Yes, it was gone.' "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the and put his glass in his pocket. get her out of the way." "This concluded the examination of the witness." "'A dozen yards or so.' characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Sutherland?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Very murderous indeed." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read about. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that never to learn it at all." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "'No, I know no one in these parts.' of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have page at http://pglaf.org The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Street. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not throat." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, train.' my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "But what is it you wish?" room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "I came to find a friend." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Yes, all." maiden herself was most instructive." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I the side-table." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Texas, I think." newspaper selections." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "How often?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the meant." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Young McCarthy must be got off, however." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Where does the thing come from?' "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. unprecedented a position." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord