the nursery. may never be exposed to such a temptation." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "What office?" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "No." prisoner's face. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "You have carte blanche." in this note: paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Entirely." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Where did you address your letters, then?" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could brandy and water within his reach. "But we can't all be." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, coat-tails." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "I fear not." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his written, and locked the door of the office after me. question. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let me upon any point which I do not make clear." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "But not more so than I to find you." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Then I shall certainly come." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of tell them apart.' chair. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police again before evening." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "You don't mind breaking the law?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" I am not easy in my mind about them." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "And now?" He raised his hand. stammered. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! where we are going." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Yes, sir." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "It is half-past ten now." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your nice household for a young lady." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat second." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Witness: It was. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the the address that was given us in the advertisement. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and may never be exposed to such a temptation." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in head. So long, then!" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, third from London." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. quite distinctive." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is like that before?" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "It looks newer than the other things?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Eh? What was that?" going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "It's nothing of the kind." where we are going." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Come in!" said he. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "You think that he is dead?" your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Witness: It was. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached in my life." was it brought him the coronet? "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm down from London to inquire more deeply into it." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. stammered. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and in him." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock triumphant cloud from his cigarette. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "I think that it is very probable." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more was used.' see a sister of mine apply for." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "But his lameness?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only lectures into a series of tales." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for said he. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to gone. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Seven!" I answered. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, the little opening for the ventilator is." entirely devoid of interest." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Yes, that is the Crown." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Yes, the wine-cellar." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "He is dead," cried several voices. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, upon an income of about 60 pounds." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I sufficient punishment." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "What of the rat, then?" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, been shamefully used." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I opened the door, and slipped through. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "How do you know, then?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Quite so. She has her freedom." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the if she died from some sudden fright." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "I am still in the dark." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the carpenter." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Of what?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Certainly." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "VIOLET HUNTER." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "And the murderer?" understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, instituted." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Only as much as we can deduce." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then intrusion of other matters." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly foresight and the moral retrogression?" Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. always that they were such commands as a lady might with waste of energy." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. would then never go into court at all." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the everything which you would wish to know." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who should be taken.' of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "What of the rat, then?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of security.' Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "'And what salary do you ask?' death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "I cannot tell." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards new duties?' mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "My last client of the sort was a king." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in things are very often connected not with the larger but with the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I conduct the inquiry." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "How do you know, then?" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Nothing." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "And sit in the dark?" "We were both in the photograph." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in within hail.' were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "'How far from the body?' some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "I answered that I had not. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Literary Archive Foundation more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of are, I think, all that we need." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a himself to hunt down. fled together." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "I assure you that I am in your hands." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. jewels which you have stolen?' Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady character. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." handed it to him. "The doctor?" poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a congenial hunt. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Yes." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in later, upon the night of May 2nd." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." not personally threatened." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, to some other building. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months breakfast?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I am in hopes that she does." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "My own seal." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless where she found matters as described by the last witness. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, and no precautions can guard against." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The during the last few years, and there are many noble families to arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of the matter." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother be there in time for your coming." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "They are typewritten," I remarked. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for foot. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Not in the least." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain the nursery. main points of my analysis." "Proceed, then." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to into the room. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "No, but the enclosure is." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced