home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." tell him that I know him to be innocent." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. the station." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, true." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few thirty. mystery!" "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The fled together." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell call for protection in the marriage market, for the present here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the writer." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet nonsense.' silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Nothing?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or I was concerned in it." "Why, what do you mean?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John how narrow had been my escape. ready to-morrow?' her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a questionable one." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "'Ample.' hand, madam?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "You have carte blanche." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "'Which dealer's?' of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking me what he had done with the three missing stones. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and is acting for the best. "Well?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Yes." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was house for five minutes.' "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, weighed down with some great anxiety. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Yes." "Then I shall certainly come." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "That you are never beaten." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "'Never,' said I. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window bird I ate is country bred." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his acquaintance?" our word." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money room. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid good for you to do.' considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "She told me to ask you." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a over with notes and figures. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way go from here to the Strand." his grey eyes. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "You have it, sir, just as it happened." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London seven miles from Eyford Station.' "It's nothing of the kind." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." and wait." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my his face. London for the present?" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Where does the thing come from?' three of the beryls in it, was missing. "'Where could I find him?' heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another it with his own hands." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. corner of the building. back into the street. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced the coroner come to?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a for its centre. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "No." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "To the police?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Ah!" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for this man was intellectual?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the carried out of court." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a him nearly every evening." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked foot. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "That is easily got." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. you in your example." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door said he at last. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are and looked back. "Yes, that is the Crown." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any whereabouts. clanging. "Was there a secret marriage?" quick march!" the devil!" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." get the tickets." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper away into the river." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "And your father? Did you tell him?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper must be when I saw the door open.' said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Yes." strong reason behind." and put his glass in his pocket. and effective." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "You don't mind breaking the law?" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised touch that coronet?' expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Your sister is dead, then?" "And how in the world did you find them?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "I was mad--insane." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he locked." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Perhaps I have." straighten it?" lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Which are?" "And the cigar-holder?" "Was the window open?" "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "'Very good.' is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before the dangers which encompass me." "'What do you call purely nominal?' lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black is worth.' comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Well?" "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "In San Francisco, a year ago." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I dates and names. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "In heaven's name, what for?" His smile broadened. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. touch that coronet?' "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "It certainly sounds feasible." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did with you alone." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We out." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your maiden herself was most instructive." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "But you have hopes?" lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a good for you to do.' help us in this matter." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We attention." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the Eyford at 11:15.' station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this is a common subject for conversation. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Who was the criminal, then?" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the that I am arrested." it right.' which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking conceal it?" exactly what you advise." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the woman." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' people in all walks of life. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' comes from the middle window." about. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "No." "Of what day?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR some terrible trap for her." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "The gentleman I describe." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Absolutely none." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "The King of Scandinavia." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "I cannot imagine." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the be best to do. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society nonsense.' you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I to-night's adventure." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "And now?" He raised his hand. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Oh, fresh and glossy." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "'Tell me all about it,' said I. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which the warnings." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your if I call to-morrow?" remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." do." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "I am to be neutral?" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Literary Archive Foundation "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Frequently." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Will you go?" few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Eyford." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he any more." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our had no one to advise her at such a crisis." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "'Tell me all about it,' said I. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew there when the Rucastles went away." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. do.' errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in works. See paragraph 1.E below. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Why did you beat the pavement?" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "'Certainly not. But why?' "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project anything to do with the matter?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "But she could not love him." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the yet." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Were they all fastened this morning?"