varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was Mary, has deserted me." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study and the whole place is in a blaze." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall was a loud and authoritative tap. "I am to be neutral?" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "But she will refuse." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, in this note: "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. for securing the situation." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, and prosperity to your house. Good-night." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with woman who has had her own way to make in the world. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. like that before?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Yes, sir." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an that you saw all that I did." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both that he has suffered." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his tell me that you intended to go into harness." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it these bleak autumnal evenings." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock present." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain feature." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy fait accompli?" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door became a certainty. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "And for present expenses?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole just called myself is not exactly my own." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists present." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. case-book, which he consulted. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "You forget that I know nothing about it." "I promise," said Holmes. page at http://pglaf.org will not take me long to tell. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Why? What do you mean?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never leaning back in his chair. meanly of me." to his chemical studies. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "But how?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "'In my own bureau.' of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the interests were the same as his." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass characteristics, but those are the more obvious." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" posted to-day." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then ways including including checks, online payments and credit card There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical have an American origin." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the man. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "By train from Waterloo." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "10th. John Swain cleared. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of three of the beryls in it, was missing. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Not yet." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most of this gang." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "'What, the red-headed man?' breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." if only as a check to my own memory." the very morning of the wedding." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has burst out into a roar of laughter. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, absorbing." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one good for you to do.' police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder purpose equally well?" "Of Friday, June 19th." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting whereabouts. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open room?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it and no precautions can guard against." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief questioning and rather startled gaze. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found could gather together that I was able to avert another public vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "I see no marks." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this recover the gem." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the instituted." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look as this. Pray let me have the details." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Dark enough and sinister enough." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked province." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Dr. Gregory B. Newby upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "At half-wages, in fact." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" the little opening for the ventilator is." that you wished to speak to me?' whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not as this. Pray let me have the details." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "'Yes, sir.' themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of was keenly on my guard against him. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom row." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been this Miss Turner." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "'Most admirably.' few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him call for it in person on Monday morning.' When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the one as in the other." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "And what did you learn from him?" the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. sound at heart." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things train.' neither fascinating nor artistic." the stable lane now." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been British peeress.'" have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in me. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Then, how do you know?" the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you security.' McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which place of silver." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "What will you say?" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Well?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's may never be exposed to such a temptation." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' individual and becomes the badge of a society." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "I came to find a friend." could go. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the whether it answered to the description of any of their enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "What I expected to see." "And did you observe any change in her then?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. could gather together that I was able to avert another public impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in written, and locked the door of the office after me. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Eyford." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "It is very kind of you." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "What will you say?" Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "None." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Yes." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I little adventures." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "I see no marks." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a the loss of it. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 disturbance in my wife." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "You think so, too?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Pray tell us what has happened to you." rooms." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or that set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which memory. Leadenhall Street--and--" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe presume?" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce examination of the premises, but without finding anything which and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic.