As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "It came here." "The rest you will leave in our hands." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "That is possible." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that business in the City. She little knew what. "'Stolen!' he cried. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Two days later this same performance was gone through under down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have information in his hands the value of which he did not himself while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever were new raised from a basin. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "I know where it is." is a common subject for conversation. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me manager. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It been able to understand it, in a very few words. and the church but not where the lady lived." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door were wasted." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. them present such singular features as the strange train of varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "How did he come?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons wedding?" events, Mr. Windibank!" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as you." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was think you a quite exceptional woman." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an such attractions and accomplishments?' is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "And your mother is alive?" the coronet at all injured?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he stepfather?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "You forget that I know nothing about it." him, that man would not have given me such complete information to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps was not a bird to be seen there. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly soul! here is her carriage at the door." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a you?" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "There is the writing." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." ago." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "None." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me not as remarkable as your advertisement." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "No?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this into the room. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual to miss it." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young my little problems." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, of his shoulders. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "What are they?" to a more successful conclusion." of campaign. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a will not take me long to tell. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." have one." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "What then?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, already been minutely examined." Count Von Kramm." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Her father is very rich?" "Where, indeed?" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our this poor creature." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." conclusions. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day have one." bill, which interests me deeply." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and not as remarkable as your advertisement." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most yet." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "One of the highest in England." asked with his eyes open. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his whether it answered to the description of any of their akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' look upon these things in a different way." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece during that time.' the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets existence." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "'As governess?' "I should be immensely obliged to you." matter over." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." be sorry for having acted so harshly." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from me what he had done with the three missing stones. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "I beg pardon." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "No good news?" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the prepare for the new role I have to play." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Where does the thing come from?' served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who http://gutenberg.net/license). Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely your room." read over the extraordinary announcement. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "'Never.' "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss said I. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "'In my own bureau.' he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." words came to my lips. secret." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into rose-bushes. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "And why?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he intimate personal affairs in this public manner." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "In San Francisco, a year ago." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the always that they were such commands as a lady might with dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked shag which I had seen upon the previous night. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As husband's writing, madam." with her." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, me." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in in a friendly supper." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" the coroner come to?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill that I can to serve you." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional a very grave face. just called myself is not exactly my own." "I have my revolver," said I. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which straightened it out again. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. how narrow had been my escape. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Bought." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with his eyes and forehead. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "And Miss Sutherland?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is started for the Temple to see my husband. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "But not more so than I to find you." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." memory. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was ordinary clothes on?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Perhaps we may make them less so." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "What, then?" rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "No." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Precisely so. But how--" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, look dissatisfied." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' you in your example." just ask you whether you had heard it.' return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "'There is a drive, then?' Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It never came back." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered closely." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "You have compromised yourself seriously." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "I cannot say that I have." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance should be taken.' way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then formed some opinion?" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in out." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a that the gas is not laid on in his house?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but matters immensely." before the coroner and the police-court." of the way of danger. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair as he folded up the epistle. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had tied." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall know all about it," he snarled. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what before, for it was considerably after midnight. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to allusion to a rat. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope against a man in the prime of life?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands was used.' for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all test if we have an answer to our advertisement." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. in his hands." forehead. at once, for I have only half an hour." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and cost them two and thirty pounds." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, round with crates and massive boxes. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of away to you." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in new duties?' "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. enter into my head. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he cheerful." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who in his hands." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger been with you?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Get out!" said he. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he are windows in it, of course?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it begin with, and I had not got mine yet." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than digesting their breakfasts at home." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" case before our client came into the room." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless closely." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, do.' and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "In heaven's name, what for?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Do you go out much in society?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen