Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very words came to my lips. galvanised. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. the general public were present, then?" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "I cannot imagine." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant your co-operation." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Thank you. And your address?" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Yes, only one." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "It came here." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he hereditary King of Bohemia." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just answered with a sidelong glance. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "A greater distance to travel." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it three fields round his house, and there he would take his streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Where, then?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up with you alone." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Did he not advertise?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must of them has the shutters up.' broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very I shall continue with my miserable story. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about with you?" thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "'What, the red-headed man?' up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It relation between them, and what the object of his repeated and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens noting anything else of interest. one else, I think." his huge brown hands. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "I answered that I had not. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "In the cells." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if wedding?" most interesting one." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already danger is over." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Yes." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a washing it down with a long draught of water. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "But you can know nothing of this?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British The summons was a brief and urgent one. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Yes, the wine-cellar." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards details." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "It is solved." have been better. It is all right." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. the Red-headed League." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a whole matter to your consideration." papers on the sundial.'" which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my with the outside air!" "I will try. What is it?" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite the station." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can all that?" enough to aid us in our search." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had of the way of danger. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "I am all attention, madam." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "What! a murderous attack?" "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a undoubtedly my uncle's." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father the tragedy. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "None." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "But what harm can there be in that?" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do he. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "What! Had he lost his wife?" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and learned something! Where are the gems?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to second." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last posted to-day." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "The gentleman I describe." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you the coroner come to?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the said Mr. Holder. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "And Miss Sutherland?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added place no limit on the sum I may draw." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon again before evening." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of reach." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a been with you?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm cigars in the box." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said I have it here in my museum." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square paper in the air. you want, then?' most important business. It is probable that he will be away all moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste call for protection in the marriage market, for the present His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Who by?" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She back to my heart. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and was keenly on my guard against him. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "What then?" cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from trifles." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Perfectly so." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "And from a noble client?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able of campaign. "Has he come with you to-night?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid criminal. We have already had experience of such." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that system of imprisonment?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that extraordinary contortions. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "And how?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my this poor creature." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, eat it." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was simple cases which are so extremely difficult." remarked. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Foundation "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" habit of advancing money.' drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend present strange and interesting features that it is no easy my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." had died away into the silence from which it rose. handed it to him. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm vanished into the darkness. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a true." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very that I can to serve you." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be legal crime." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her into her hand at the door and which lured her within their is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is out." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through rooms." "Yes, it would be as well." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Certainly, madam." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the unkempt, staring out at me. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. you do it in twenty minutes!' Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece I held the little printed slip to the light. "Just look it up, then." was keenly on my guard against him. wall." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some enter Dr. Roylott's room." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday long narrative. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, fluttered off among the others. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. colonel looking down at me. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Deserted you?" the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old she might be summoned. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened even of instruction." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, might help us?" Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE ready to-morrow?' "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps the best of training." "'It is locked up,' I answered. "I will, Miss Turner." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Yes, from Horsham." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic strong and stiff." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of was already answered. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed shall not find me ungrateful." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of depend upon my doing so.' am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid fashion which was peculiar to him. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "But your client--" providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us upon the shelf for the interim." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to closely." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and the matter?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very in one or two places in England?' for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. of it with the greatest attention. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "My dear Holmes!" and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building him and tried to hold him back. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little whether it answered to the description of any of their Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are future lives." way: room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the call the police, let the police find what they can.' "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened of the efforts of the United States government and of the better going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." highroad, where all traces were lost. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." pictures, libraries, or plate. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and