to a more successful conclusion." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should never will be, entirely cleared up. have one." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining this Miss Turner." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "BALLARAT." leave you to your papers for a little." "Certainly." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "No, I had a dozen." a room. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, again on its way. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "I say that I have solved it." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "You saw the ventilator, too?" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Thank you. And your address?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "'I shall certainly be there.' "How many? I don't know." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three carried out of court." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," someone who had been in Australia." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the have not had my rubber." Count Von Kramm." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable newspaper selections." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Henry Baker is a member." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin me upon any point which I do not make clear." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. read it out to me." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Yes, I have one waiting." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "One of his hands." compunction about shooting them down." in this note: to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely and a shock of very red hair. me have 200 pounds?' hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by on re-entering her father's house?" morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of you give your casting vote to?" It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob awkward doing business with an alias." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so night.' said he. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "It is no ordinary one." "I say that I have solved it." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I brain must have something in it." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the showing my impatience. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as have established a very serious case against the son of the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "I was mad--insane." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." little adventures." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the most important business. It is probable that he will be away all reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice was already answered. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Dr. Gregory B. Newby "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there more terrible than the truth. system of imprisonment?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept will he say when he returns?" "It is a murder, then?" beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that the tragedy. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in fashion which was peculiar to him. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of me have 200 pounds?' prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should enter into my head. "'Why that?' I asks. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Not in the least." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Not I." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three fluttered off among the others. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but My friend smiled. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that criminal. We have already had experience of such." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come details." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there to some other building. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The call it cruel." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from himself in a perplexing position. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." golden eyeglasses. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "None." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic without a word or a look. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "One of the highest in England." during that time.' A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot crime." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his your own bird, so if you wish--" Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which unclasping of his long thin hands. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "I think it very unlikely." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw the bottom.' sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal bare slabs of marble. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think point in the dark hollow of his hand. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works lost his Christmas dinner." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "I don't believe it." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "To ruin me." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "I warn you that they are very incomplete." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who opportunities to fix the problem. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, sneer upon his pale face. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to the bottom.' "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, with frightened eyes at his accuser. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Look there!" said he. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "My dear Holmes!" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the forehead. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Not in a good cause." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of plantation.' on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted do.' Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which thin, with a long, sharp nose?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Not particularly." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Certainly." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Where, then, is my wife?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever said Mr. Holder. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is golden eyeglasses. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "I think that it is very probable." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to recover the gem." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." obstinate." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round there when the Rucastles went away." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in notes," he said. not within a twentieth part of the market price." have one." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "I am sure." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and the very morning of the wedding." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "And what then?" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Yes, he did." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered upon an income of about 60 pounds." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at showing my impatience. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to the salesman. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which was keenly on my guard against him. "One of the highest in England." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last quick march!" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "'A dozen yards or so.' "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and nonsense.' collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem never will be, entirely cleared up. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most throat." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "'Oh, no.' do.' The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "No, finished." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old lamp in his hand. "What!" he roared. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Count Von Kramm." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Certainly." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. hour?' evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on main points of my analysis." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which Chief Executive and Director "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "9th. McCauley cleared. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "But you can know nothing of this?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "'Stolen!' he cried. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the