fact, we may call it conclusive." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just occurred." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. and a shock of very red hair. "We must have a cab." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable during that time.' Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was minor matters until to-morrow." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the lamp. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked she might be summoned. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's chamber." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were writers could invent nothing more crude." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Thank you. Pray proceed." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I lectures into a series of tales." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Why did you pick him?" next day. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "You forget that I know nothing about it." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. For additional contact information: "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. with you?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its know all about it," he snarled. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Not in the least." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "What can it mean?" I gasped. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" anything to a woman, for she would have her way." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "'What do you call purely nominal?' the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "No, thank goodness, she did not." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Sutherland?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point yards of it?' walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a you." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "The doctor?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to country, and eventually married, without anyone having a there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The used to be." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman that you saw all that I did." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. on in his house." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others this unhappy family?" rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly girl said." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab helping a boy to put up the shutters. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now murdered man." "She showed me, as I told you she would." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "But how?" ago." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. of this gang." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our is four-and-twenty." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Why? What do you mean?" carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." detective. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of way: admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "I think that it is very probable." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "I see many objections to any such theory." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "'I am sure if I had known--' he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "I cannot imagine." drawing your inferences." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put fuss that is made over them." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To your sleep?' centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a straighten it?" "'Yes, it was gone.' saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE think, you have already met." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps depend upon my doing so.' "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw feature." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is business at Coburg Square is serious." Holmes' face clouded over. just called myself is not exactly my own." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety humiliation." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in whole matter to your consideration." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. status with the IRS. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" weighed down with some great anxiety. conduct the inquiry." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Pope's Court. "Well?" Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "'I have heard so.' reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Why did you beat the pavement?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "'No, I know no one in these parts.' might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, the stones. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with woman." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will way in everything. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found leaning back in his chair. "Won't it ring?" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "'What then?' I asked. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "But his left-handedness." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "I was afraid that you were engaged." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian opened the door, and slipped through. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "And sit in the dark?" "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that of your young ladies.' better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear meant it for the best. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Edgeware Road. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Then how many are there?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "What! Had he lost his wife?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated maiden herself was most instructive." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at never will be, entirely cleared up. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his lumber-room." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "You forget that I know nothing about it." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left evidence," I remarked. "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Certainly." "I say that I have solved it." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon sofa. This way, please!" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' the coroner come to?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon call for it in person on Monday morning.' also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him get the tickets." formed some opinion?" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "I will, Miss Turner." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, taking in every detail of the apartment. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall outside. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon disturbance in my wife." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "I have my revolver," said I. was feeling which was the fattest.' was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the less than 26s. 4d. the south-west, I see." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each signal between you and your father? Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been orange pips. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the your billet.' saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "'I have already given you my word.' "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As over his head with a sweet womanly caress. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen said he. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable easy-going way." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would do you make of it all?" He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind late!' will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call interests were the same as his." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said flock.' give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as flock.' hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little the night.' compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales the running down." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers himself to hunt down. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Where is it, then?" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout gives a meaning to it." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that shoulder; "he's all right." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "I will not look." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "But you were on a friendly footing?" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I at my remark. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, up this clue while it is still hot." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "To an end?" which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." any more." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very important." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "I see many objections to any such theory." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "None." "Was your sister dressed?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed salesman. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "No, my brougham is waiting." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Why did you pick him?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium thin, with a long, sharp nose?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand works. See paragraph 1.E below. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Here?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Perhaps we may make them less so." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take best detective that ever lived. "But I have heard all that you have heard." with the outside air!" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a