wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the down. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the miles off. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had and inquire as to the address." "Were they all fastened this morning?" "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Frequently." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "But how did you gain them?" newspaper selections." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "The decline of his fortunes, then?" himself to tell his story. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "'Which dealer's?' "Then, as to money?" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' fat-encircled eyes. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew It may be so in this case, also." populous neighbourhood." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." infinite languor in his face. morning." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows tightly behind him. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and point in the dark hollow of his hand. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to the side-table." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable system of imprisonment?" "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I to arrive at through this?" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting through." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from and glanced through. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is both be extremely obliged.' looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. newspaper selections." McCarthy." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of several quiet little villages up there." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very envelope. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Well, it is a possible supposition." strong reason behind." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the already been minutely examined." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but From what you have told me I think that it is possible that business?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "But how did you gain them?" through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, strong reason behind." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, was already answered. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an green of the new foliage. "Then I am your man." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have be. he bowed and left the room without another word. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Well, some hundreds of times." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, money should be paid at once.' into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem License. You must require such a user to return or my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps to some other building. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few already been minutely examined." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. memory. "By no means." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. hair?' slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about hour?' hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Yes?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "How about poison?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into fled together." "Was the window open?" man. I know him from the photograph." became a certainty. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked cause to be." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. her also." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Holmes rather sternly. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' newspaper selections." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to already referred to. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, with the outside air!" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to directors, with the result that you have seen." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Nearly eleven." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "And help." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Quite so." written. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He them, and came down just as you departed. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "It surprised me." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not The events in question occurred in the early days of my yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of discontent upon his features. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Yes." was keenly on my guard against him. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" guilty one." me have 200 pounds?' travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable were new raised from a basin. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. disappearance of the bride.'" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my and the colonel ushered me in. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a stalked out of the room. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Breckinridge is his name." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest to arrive at through this?" possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from who was a member of your goose club." "And Miss Sutherland?" south, for the country is more deserted there." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not evidence," I remarked. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office upon the shelf for the interim." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, girl said." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. when you have done it." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about simple cases which are so extremely difficult." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Why, what do you mean?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project carried out of court." problems help me to do so." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you bare slabs of marble. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'What are you doing there?' he asked. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in house for five minutes.' just ask you whether you had heard it.' observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. obstinate." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no his cane at the bell-pull. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you giving me time to thank him. stood on the top of it. if only as a check to my own memory." bearing upon the case." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Then, as to money?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would Gutenberg-tm License. "Get out!" said he. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Again Holmes raved in the air. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If he bowed and left the room without another word. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Not particularly." During two years I have had three consultations and one small "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "ARAT," I read. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Very murderous indeed." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "And what then?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me London for the present?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them upon the white wrist. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, felt?" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully to surprise her." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day the so-precious time, but come!' "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. third from London." here and I will read it to you: pictures, libraries, or plate. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "The King of Scandinavia." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" if only as a check to my own memory." "Of what day?" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "How did you deduce the select?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Then I shall certainly come." burst out into a roar of laughter. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "I was sure that I might rely on you." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was investigation." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a for the market.' about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded man. I know him from the photograph." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom father's young wife. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Who by?" the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "The murder was done with it." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "'Yes, sir.' vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; other lovers by making love himself." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "It is no ordinary one." "And did you observe any change in her then?" "I answered that I had not. jewels which you have stolen?' photograph?" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "What office?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "But to whom?" fat-encircled eyes. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "But to whom?" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." chamber." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "And from a noble client?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug chance." trying to your nerves." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many