"I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "I was afraid that you were engaged." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." think, you have already met." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "I came to find a friend." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As hurried away. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he get the tickets." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "'Certainly not.' Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "And sit in the dark?" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord followed. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Very. But will he see it?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "You did not overhear what they said?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass galvanised. trying to your nerves." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is the ceiling. here and I will read it to you: prison!" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what was lame." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood excitement. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Of what?" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "We have tried and failed." I shall continue with my miserable story. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, that threaten you." too. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "You think that he is dead?" "You have the photograph?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted she used." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my highroad, where all traces were lost. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. her also." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Texas, I think." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Clair, of Lee." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss in a friendly supper." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "And I say east," said my patient. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Watson," he said cordially. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "None." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could purpose of examination. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between question. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by call you and give you the chance." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "It surprised me." mysterious end." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "It is no ordinary one." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you His smile broadened. garden below. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "'You doubt its value?' he asked. than was visible to me." with some details as to your case." stood on the top of it. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, details." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "What! a murderous attack?" pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept copied or distributed: months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "But she will refuse." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. second." "He slept on the premises." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since you understand?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Yes." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "The best possible." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. least a fellow-countryman. handed it to him. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond overpowering excitement and concern. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' papers." "Will you bet, then?" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "She showed me, as I told you she would." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by friends, not even his own brother. becomes even more simple." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but awkward doing business with an alias." "By no means." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their outsides of the windows. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the of receipt of the work. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a direction." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "You are all wrong." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Holmes' room. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Do you go out much in society?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who light and attacked it." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Yes." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the directly by questioning you." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which triumphant cloud from his cigarette. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as will take you up to see the machine.' "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. situation." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge I shall continue with my miserable story. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother orange pips. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six in my life." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "But you have hopes?" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece lumber-room." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while I think that I could be of assistance to you." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying death." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear been shamefully used." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Again Holmes raved in the air. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker unkempt, staring out at me. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I started for the Temple to see my husband. "But I am all in the dark." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Were they all fastened this morning?" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "And why in hopes?" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "But it has twice been burgled." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom him, that man would not have given me such complete information Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Why did you pick him?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant second window is the one that I jumped from." my friend's incisive reasoning. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with hard-headed British jury." and no precautions can guard against." business." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Then how many are there?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." and your relations to her." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "And the murderer?" which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little your most interesting statement." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." brandy and water within his reach. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "What have you done?" asked Holmes. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the and glanced through. look dissatisfied." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning wedding?" horse could go." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "But you would not advise me to refuse?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it direction." "Never to return." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune how narrow had been my escape. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Why serious?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice taking in every detail of the apartment. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Yes, but only for you and me." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "I cannot imagine." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the annoyance, but no jest. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might could gather together that I was able to avert another public commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "But the mystery?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." sparkled upon his finger. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have served to weaken the effect. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." before, for it was considerably after midnight. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Witness: I must still refuse. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? weighed down with some great anxiety. more terrible than the truth. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and his huge brown hands. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. other means.' his eyes and forehead. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his about. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the own family. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love absolutely follow my advice in every respect." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something long narrative. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." visitors." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Doctor, of the paper and the date." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday hard-headed British jury." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was stalked out of the room. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was one of the states of the Union." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "It was an hour's good drive." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided infinite languor in his face. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "How are you getting on?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to me. You must get home instantly and act." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather not fit the lock." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the it means?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of indeed which he could not unravel. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying Lee, in the county of Kent." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better in this way: neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "And now?" He raised his hand. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from other, as fresh and trim as possible. to me. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "But you were on a friendly footing?" what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "On your arm?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler