was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE off." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, his face. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass so.' him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Always." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "'And what salary do you ask?' you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son into her hand at the door and which lured her within their XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Not social, then?" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it and the colonel ushered me in. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and served to weaken the effect. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Mrs. Toller serenely. "You don't mind breaking the law?" "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as dead, shall be safe with us." miles off. "I see no marks." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "I was afraid that you were engaged." formed some opinion?" if I call to-morrow?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down away into the river." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, some terrible trap for her." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "It is possible." there was no need for father to know." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was back into the street. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll when you have done it." daring than any effort of the imagination." here." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat breakfast and whispered something to her husband. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a been anything against him. He had for years been known as a when you have done it." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. trying to your nerves." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as make me his representative both with the servants and with the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, woven round him. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. him nearly every evening." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Arthur Conan Doyle The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they simple cases which are so extremely difficult." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could I nodded to show that I had heard. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Lee, in the county of Kent." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "'And the work?' extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as you." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall distinguish the words: "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, of campaign. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "My opinion is in no way altered." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Yes, I have one waiting." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous towards the blaze. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I to his chemical studies. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my copied or distributed: very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. was keenly on my guard against him. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of affair. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had suddenly upon us." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only voice, changing her seat as requested. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "He is dead," cried several voices. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. forbidden door. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour observed. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean man. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." you?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "To ruin me." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Witness: It was. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "I warn you that they are very incomplete." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "At the wedding breakfast." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "What do you mean?" burst out into a roar of laughter. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "None." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that depend upon my doing so.' them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick answer." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And threw himself down with his face to the pillow. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it to have been novel and of interest." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "I see no marks." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he The summons was a brief and urgent one. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "You will not go there first?" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Mary, has deserted me." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he passage and a tap at the door. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a the date of his supposed suicide." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "'How far from the body?' electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "What is it?" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal nonsense.' the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "The King of Scandinavia." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "What will you say?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Stolen." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "That is not always so easy." of his shoulders. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning over his head with a sweet womanly caress. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, married her." his fortune, and I went back to pa. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Very murderous indeed." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an his forehead." "Absolutely none." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying my room." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging been shamefully used." remarked. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had works. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk out of this horrible affair." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "He might." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his My friend smiled. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such at home. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I discontent upon his features. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Thank you. And your address?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "And why?" permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard man. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Was she in good spirits?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in meanly of me." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." had picked up in the wood. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of it. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "'I am sure that I do not know.' Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast he bowed and left the room without another word. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Then I shall certainly come." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest him, that man would not have given me such complete information fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a time." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "You know me, then?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is 1.E.9. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, and all of them with the keenest interest. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "But the mystery?" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "I do." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to some water from a caraffe. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "You know me, then?" before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was yards of it?' "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery speckled band?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking coat-tails." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the upon the sideboard." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where these bleak autumnal evenings." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her believe that I should never have any practice at all. passage and a tap at the door. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, cost them two and thirty pounds." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Yes, the wine-cellar." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the nothing of it?" the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still at once, for I have only half an hour." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I there when the Rucastles went away." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which charged with?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few daring than any effort of the imagination." with her." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their imbecility!" he cried. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. DAMAGE. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets nights." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "And what did you learn from him?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he kind enough to tell me what I should do." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to look dissatisfied." were unconscious?" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a empty. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie?