remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his fasten all the windows?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring man. I know him from the photograph." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing digesting their breakfasts at home." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "I assure you that I am in your hands." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "It is his hat." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Why serious?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It get the tickets." "'Then let me do so?' never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Dr. Becher's." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their felt the room to be a little close.' "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Then you may be so with me." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as retorted upon me, and I on you." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very into her hand at the door and which lured her within their I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "What will you do, then?" paper in the air. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his and your relations to her." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "My dear Holmes!" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out death." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are I nodded again. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about yet." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "What is it?" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass should be taken.' We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something your most interesting statement." digesting their breakfasts at home." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call interested in these little problems, and since you are good whatever might befall. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal became a certainty. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire it? Did I buy the geese off you?" he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my on re-entering her father's house?" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "My photograph." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is orange pips. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "And how did you find out?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken sake, don't!" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came it." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. in. "'Never.' six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left here." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Pray continue your narrative." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "You have carte blanche." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert me where it went to?" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Precisely." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "You have the photograph?" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "My opinion is in no way altered." read it out to me." business in the City. She little knew what. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you of the one which your family is now devouring." "You will not go there first?" "I will, Miss Turner." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the child." you for a few hours?" his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and to tackle the facts." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she how narrow had been my escape. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Really! You surprise me." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a brought there to personate someone, and the real person is moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "And you thought he was pulled back?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the strength." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias which it had come upon my father." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now outsides of the windows. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to one else, I think." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. the coronet in his hand?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "They are typewritten," I remarked. seem to you to be relevant or not." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and o'clock is it?" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and nothing with him." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, thirty. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is fluttered off among the others. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no them present such singular features as the strange train of something of him before." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally be sorry for having acted so harshly." tear off another piece?' which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction purpose of examination. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "And how in the world did you find them?" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "My photograph." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Breckinridge is his name." "Very truly yours, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been himself to tell his story. than was visible to me." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "10th. John Swain cleared. suspect him." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "I think that it is very probable." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "How can you tell that?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note criminal. We have already had experience of such." "I have come for advice." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "And who is her maid?" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "And what then?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking was a perfect sample of the class. This is what he says: and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may shadow pass over his face as I spoke. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods any little problem which you may submit to me." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. orange pips. correct than the official force." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "'It is locked up,' I answered. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "But how did you gain them?" away into the river." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the in this way: "Yes, it would be as well." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then society." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. noting anything else of interest. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Very well, sir. And this stone?" companion imperturbably. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate down. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "What shall I do?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Yes, sir." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding danger is over." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a had no one to advise her at such a crisis." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "But what is it you wish?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; this unhappy family?" less than 26s. 4d. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the little opening for the ventilator is." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the States. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found criminal. We have already had experience of such." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can that he will be back before evening." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to long narrative. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "In the cells." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As appeared upon the scene." to talk it over. imbecility!" he cried. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Very truly yours, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the to me. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, feature." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the get the tickets." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "It's nothing of the kind." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, eavesdroppers?' suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "'Which dealer's?' "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a standing smiling on the door-step. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off night.' said he. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is