Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Then the page we have seen--" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to point our research must commence, and we will begin it by rat could hardly pass through." to tackle the facts." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Who was the criminal, then?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "And the murderer?" sound at heart." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "And it is--" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Sutherland?" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. I approached. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." possible that we could bring him back to her? "She will not sell." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some You can understand that this register and diary may implicate quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a mystery." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' them, and came down just as you departed. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed I nodded again. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. guilty one." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was to change my dress. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before your billet.' indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for behind me. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a records." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "But his left-handedness." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Certainly." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong been anything against him. He had for years been known as a little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, one's self under obligations.' is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his mystery." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed did not hear it also.' "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "'Certainly not. But why?' families. Now for the facts. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it perplexity from it to my illustrious client. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there enter into my head. up this clue while it is still hot." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us emerged. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and writer." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. you understand?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "What!" he roared. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the entirely lost his self-respect." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Yes, only one." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found better in every way that they should make their position a little was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can bearing upon the case." served to weaken the effect. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked have got?" that cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Nothing?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. empty. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "In which, sir?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so whatever might befall. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there over here." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of at a side door. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "But what harm can there be in that?" I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Then, as to money?" the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the closely." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am carried out of court." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now answered with a sidelong glance. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Holmes rather sternly. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the correct than the official force." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he you in your example." he bowed and left the room without another word. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure hurried by. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Entirely." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the that I may have something better before very many minutes are the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, any." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Why, what do you mean?" introspective fashion. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about and the church but not where the lady lived." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and wedding?" unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream heavy and sharp instrument." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, his cane at the bell-pull. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Certainly." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." be there in time for your coming." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose invisible to me," I remarked. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "At half-wages, in fact." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If help us in this matter." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Precisely." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You ceremony." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "'Ample.' politicians who had been sent down from the North. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but of Mr. Rucastle's." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows most important business. It is probable that he will be away all simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Have you her photograph?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." to a light-house. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which his cane at the bell-pull. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a attention." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Very much so." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "But you can know nothing of this?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in James Windibank. Voilà tout!" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was than was visible to me." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few all that?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like never came back." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should take the flies, but not before." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Sutherland. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "You have but to name it." of Fenchurch Street." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the would then never go into court at all." 'please.'" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose ordinary clothes on?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "She will not sell." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "What then?" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at outside." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is the armchair which I pushed forward for him. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm together. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and she used." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. them?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "To an end?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "I saw her in conversation with her maid." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." your most interesting statement." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you said he. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect waste of energy." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "And leave your case unfinished?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, views." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, he died? "The landlord of the Alpha." excitement. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his as he folded up the epistle. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my important." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.'