eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never pound a week." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "By no means." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black charge against him will break down." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. room?" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Proceed, then." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "I am in hopes that she does." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Was he the only applicant?" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a is worth.' "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the address. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love with her." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we ill-usage at the hands of fortune. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I habit of advancing money.' light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come from the brougham. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "No, thank goodness, she did not." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has the morning and make my own way in the world.' daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "No, I had a dozen." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to nonsense.' down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to definite end. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "When did she vanish, then?" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Is he quiet?" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "And how did he make his money?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I had this final quarrel? at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a 11:15.' things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution relief. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "You heard nothing yourself last night?" great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Pray let us have it, for all that." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one cup of tea. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' one of them." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "But how will you look?" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "'Yes, I promise.' number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at way in." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the gone. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside best detective that ever lived. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers this poor creature." power." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you more terrible than the truth. Holmes. "Here?" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "'Stolen!' he cried. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "'Never.' the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a intrusion of other matters." the general public were present, then?" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Upon what point?" young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in here and I will read it to you: The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he place no limit on the sum I may draw." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but do.' "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." and it need not interfere very much with one's other when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good here and I will read it to you: some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Not particularly." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "It missed him, then?" "How about poison?" lost nothing by them." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am bonnet, and went out." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "No?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "I have come for advice." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations noting anything else of interest. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as very peculiar words of the dying woman?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Never." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, the Assizes." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Bought." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing because she had spent so short a time in this country that she conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a opportunities to fix the problem. this man was intellectual?" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as the inner apartment." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Yes, from Horsham." to-night's adventure." was shining brightly. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Have you it here?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." strong reason behind." that to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be to talk it over. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." his huge brown hands. for its centre. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Well, but China?" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "No, but the enclosure is." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it you." there." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "By no means." outsides of the windows. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Pray do so." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Pope's Court. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any were new raised from a basin. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her generous with you in money matters.' "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "No. His orders were to stay in the house." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which just called myself is not exactly my own." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! wedding?" low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always whatever might befall. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. hard-headed British jury." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin tell them apart.' is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the your sleep?' "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving question you as to those details which seem to me to be most blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Where, indeed?" enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "How do you know, then?" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "How on earth--" many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that voice, changing her seat as requested. became a certainty. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "I cannot say that I have." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking desk. as the one I chose?' "By no means." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "We were both in the photograph." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main to talk it over. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and the salesman. nothing of it?" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of was feeling which was the fattest.' fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that an introduction to him?" "No, I am descending." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some never to learn it at all." outsides of the windows. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon interest. They are important, you understand, without being "But she could not love him." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock will find little credit to be gained out of this case." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "It is possible." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the residence of the great financier. good-night and bustled off upon her way. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. this unhappy family?" Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "An accident, I presume?" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. that you saw all that I did." "No, I had a dozen." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon goes." "Yes, but only for you and me." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were directors have had misgivings upon the subject." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, tied." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." pound a week." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on was a lad." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "It came here." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case directly by questioning you." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the my room." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Street. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Yes, it was twisted." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "'No, I know no one in these parts.' metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "My own seal." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "'Ample.' closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the bed, and you in that chair." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a closely." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "And from a noble client?" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my be best to do. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of