the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Count Von Kramm." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece the stable lane now." "I have my revolver," said I. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon events, Mr. Windibank!" "Yes." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish breakfast?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Edgeware Road. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an make me his representative both with the servants and with the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Where is it, then?" akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to handed it to him. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This thought that she would have been so carried away." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that humiliation." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project a little more before I quite committed myself. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "It's nothing of the kind." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "It missed him, then?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "When did it break out?" particular state visit http://pglaf.org "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Of what?" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the should be taken.' to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest you." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds me what he had done with the three missing stones. "One?" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had tassel actually lying upon the pillow. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each make me his representative both with the servants and with the "And now?" He raised his hand. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Proceed, then." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor tear off another piece?' unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and placed his cuttings. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all leaning back in his chair. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "To an end?" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt nights." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' true." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to next day. "'Quite sure, dad.' propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly is entirely a question of barometric pressure." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either woman who has had her own way to make in the world. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "And I to find an enemy." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from bird of prey. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a disappearance of the bride.'" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing few hundred pounds.' parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "'Yes, sir.' "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by morning." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to get the tickets." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had had no one to advise her at such a crisis." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying when you have done it." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most door?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" lost his Christmas dinner." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose something of him before." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very within hail.' Heh?' friends, not even his own brother. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low II. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to very morning of my second wedding." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without showing my impatience. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the some terrible trap for her." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "My private note-paper." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am companion quietly. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Which are?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "I cannot imagine." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Ample." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said have not had my rubber." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Your French gold?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Entirely." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at later, upon the night of May 2nd." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "To an English lawyer named Norton." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue the matter?" so.' "Frequently." "Where, then?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been careless servant girl?" information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who strength of mind to control. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Of Friday, June 19th." narrative." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "It is no ordinary one." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying province." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your nonsense.' smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange that I can to serve you." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the province." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "It is very kind of you." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a she used." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to really the only notable feature about the thing." several quiet little villages up there." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. hurried by. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He nonsense.' and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich there is a decided draught." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. advice." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Yes, from Horsham." nonsense.' matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was o'clock is it?" "Where, then?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "It is no ordinary one." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, hand, madam?" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Nearly eleven." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have mystery!" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps sufficient punishment." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the hard-headed British jury." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Yes." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "And help." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was brain must have something in it." introspective fashion. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural acquaintance?" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. yet." "Yes." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "What then?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "None." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "I have a cab outside." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the placed his cuttings. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was done what I asked you, Jones?" be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "How are you getting on?" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend that?' expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "But how could you guess what the motive was?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Then I am your man." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only II. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, that the gas is not laid on in his house?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then the bed, and you in that chair." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock vanished into the darkness. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature province." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I in. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "I cannot tell." "No, I am descending." mystery!" for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding where Mr. Fordham shows you.' the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not the warnings." people in all walks of life. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a The note was undated, and without either signature or address. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "It missed him, then?" "Then you may be so with me." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, straighten it?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' such person." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this instituted." humiliation." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite upon a handsome competence. the matter." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "But his left-handedness." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Could he throw no light?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the station." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul into the bag, and made for the door. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Dirty?" you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "I shall most certainly do so." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "I cannot tell." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is little adventures." upon the sideboard." the very morning of the wedding." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." should be taken.' "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if astonishment. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who gone. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by