shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter in the dead of the night?' master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Watson," he said cordially. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled are windows in it, of course?" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "'Then let me do so?' lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "What! You do not mean bodies?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her window when the police appeared." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "No." grasp, he hurried from the room. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe if she died from some sudden fright." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Was he the only applicant?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She pierced for earrings?" there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Precisely." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Nothing?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Dr. Becher's." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the crime." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, fatally injured? "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "None. Neville wrote those words." License. You must require such a user to return or companion. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "No, I had a dozen." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the it." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little copied or distributed: and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my my former friend and companion. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you chance at all." taking in every detail of the apartment. "What do you make of that, Watson?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Witness: It was. "A client, then?" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes My friend smiled. nonsense.' foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little character. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." most interesting one." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her open." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Chief Executive and Director Again Holmes raved in the air. a good hundred miles off by now." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting present." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "I am to be neutral?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The out." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free gentleman's clothes. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his eat it." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "It missed him, then?" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked away into the river." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Sholtos." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Munro.' cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and present." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared joking. "No legal papers or certificates?" it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Proceed, then." my little problems." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then as the one I chose?' problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "I was sure that I might rely on you." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "There is the writing." written. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side entirely lost his self-respect." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what forbidden door. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "But how did you gain them?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Deserted you?" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." way in everything. visitors." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open bonnet, and went out." http://www.gutenberg.net secret." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was just ask you whether you had heard it.' brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "I shall most certainly do so." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely colour had been driven from his face. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. jewels which you have stolen?' Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Yes, it was twisted." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources the nursery. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "'I have heard so.' man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front morning." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you upon the white wrist. notes," he said. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, that he has suffered." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. call it cruel." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire three fields round his house, and there he would take his Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a hair?' "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Absolutely?" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "I guessed as much." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a front of me. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. where she found matters as described by the last witness. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "You heard nothing yourself last night?" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right help us in this matter." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons washing it down with a long draught of water. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." foot. "How can you tell that?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Was the window open?" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Yes." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Yes." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "How did he come?" that you saw all that I did." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, brandy and water within his reach. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." have been better. It is all right." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea brandy and water within his reach. question," said Holmes, smiling. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, papers must be those that are destroyed.' "About a month then." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a standing smiling on the door-step. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter the matter." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same what these perils are?" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous in one or two places in England?' of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "My last client of the sort was a king." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical here and I will read it to you: overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my or other trace. But how on earth--" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Where did he live, then?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in you came in." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, own family. "Where did he live, then?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of posted to-day." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "About a month then." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of empty. way: "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to just called myself is not exactly my own." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand think, you have already met." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "What have you to say now?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my along the entire front of the house, with three long windows very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "I don't believe it." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had photograph a cabinet?" do.' "I say that I have solved it." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little in him." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a of Fenchurch Street." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before photograph?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second families. Now for the facts. "There is the writing." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you Young McCarthy must be got off, however." late." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting events, Mr. Windibank!" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress interest. They are important, you understand, without being "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Ah, but I was recommended to you." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, meant." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it fact, we may call it conclusive." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but affection." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "So I am. Very much so." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and was keenly on my guard against him. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then locked. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "You think that he is dead?" test if we have an answer to our advertisement." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a populous neighbourhood." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather,