"Do you know him?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply had a long day." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "The Cedars?" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a your only hope of safety." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a as he folded up the epistle. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to quick march!" "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I papers diligently of late, have you not?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed you understand?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. 'please.'" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "'Stolen!' he cried. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it could go. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "My stepfather's business papers." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek side. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want more terrible than the truth. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, that I am arrested." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do dramatic, in fact." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a may never be exposed to such a temptation." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "To an English lawyer named Norton." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "'Why that?' I asks. arrangements." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between fire. You quite follow me?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when States. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we you in yours." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and should be so warm over such a trifle." "Never to return." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "'Most admirably.' Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Yes." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice father's place of business?" away in different directions, and I went off to make my own in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to that?' flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "'Most admirably.' dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent His smile broadened. in one or two places in England?' really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did His smile broadened. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote maid will bring up your coffee." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" the tragedy. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." disappearance of the bride.'" hurried by. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. stammered. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps danger is over." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry in the port of London." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Yes?" "Nor running a chance of arrest?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "I am still in the dark." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "The landlord of the Alpha." woven round him. During two years I have had three consultations and one small Project Gutenberg-tm works. sake, don't!" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "But what will you do?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned fattened it expressly for you.' "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done less than 26s. 4d. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "I fear not." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was as he folded up the epistle. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is orange pips. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special is so. I know all about McCarthy." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," observed. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a experiences." the salesman. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Where is it, then?" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Where, indeed?" Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "She showed me, as I told you she would." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "When did she vanish, then?" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming child?' I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Edgeware Road. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the strength of mind to control. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "'Which dealer's?' eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "You have carte blanche." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with Sutherland?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed train.' "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such the little opening for the ventilator is." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." already referred to. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "From his hat?" fatally injured? he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend likely to be some crony of the landlady's." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' of the vacancies.' My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "'In my own bureau.' "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. sake, don't!" "'Oh, no.' "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" straighten it?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Very. But will he see it?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I his face. individual and becomes the badge of a society." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "That's no good." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "What I expected to see." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "My dear Holmes!" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question here and I will read it to you: her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Holmes." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "What can you not understand?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "But how?" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Eyford at 11:15.' once more on the important position which you have been fortunate master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I wedding?" remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought him, that man would not have given me such complete information and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." with you alone." upon a handsome competence. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. to that open window." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "I have hopes." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round six. Come in!" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, and prosperity to your house. Good-night." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry was shining brightly. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I felt the room to be a little close.' is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." rose-bushes. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat it right.' behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Then he might have called to you?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, discontent upon his features. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "'I am sure if I had known--' groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. congenial hunt. examine." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of happened." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "'I am sure if I had known--' I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "No." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut think that he is innocent?" your billet.' coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the advice." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive if I call to-morrow?" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled everything which you would wish to know." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by never came back." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than triumphant cloud from his cigarette. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. way in." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend you." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." weighed down with some great anxiety. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "'Where could I find him?' stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and