steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid him to go away.' Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his The events in question occurred in the early days of my brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "You know me, then?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Who by?" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was I. McCarthy." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Yes." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have records." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across which our visitor detailed to us. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding and effective." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled outside. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, experiences." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer clanging. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer despair." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter was feeling which was the fattest.' that threaten you." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we room?" IS disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming paper in the air. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I is four-and-twenty." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel round with crates and massive boxes. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and words came to my lips. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "How can you tell that?" remarked. "But how?" chill to my heart. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely strength." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the hurried away. "Yes." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging introspective fashion. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Yes, that is the Crown." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." galvanised. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project tell him that I know him to be innocent." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing astonishment. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere out of this horrible affair." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." possible that we could bring him back to her? extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Indeed! Whose, then?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of to-night's adventure." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you a very grave face. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Where did you address your letters, then?" here." stammered. hardly wander." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "I don't say that. Perhaps." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "How did you deduce the select?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I into the bag, and made for the door. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. the matter." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, lost nothing by them." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "And you don't know his address?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. felt the room to be a little close.' "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand very morning of my second wedding." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "And you thought he was pulled back?" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' drove away. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "But you can know nothing of this?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling o'clock is it?" examine." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification she to prove their authenticity?" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge disappearance of the bride.'" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "There is the writing." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "How often?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" know that the truth is known." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with orange pips. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for events than those which have happened in my own family." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet hopeless attempt at recovering them." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger him, that man would not have given me such complete information will find little credit to be gained out of this case." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and the dangers which encompass me." the coronet in his hand?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it corner of the building. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed you." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in residence of the great financier. may have an influence upon European history." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would locked." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all them?" that he will be back before evening." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Thank you. Pray proceed." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be child?' him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "ARAT," I read. "And why?" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We disappearance of the bride.'" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, you give your casting vote to?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it ill-usage at the hands of fortune. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. what I may call a really hard day's work." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "And sit in the dark?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "On the contrary, this is the right side." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it giving me time to thank him. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," written. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Street. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." them present such singular features as the strange train of pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "That you are never beaten." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Surrey." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they the coronet at all injured?" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking know what is wrong with it.' with frightened eyes at his accuser. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that envelope. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our DISSOLVED. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than business?" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a I leave." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the trying to your nerves." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Yes." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Oh, yes, easily." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will call for it in person on Monday morning.' "But to whom?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said remarked. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Game for a morning drive?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying trifles." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her remarked. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. in one or two places in England?' trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Will you go?" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There in darkness. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with Clair, of Lee." "No." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. figure." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Street. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the lectures into a series of tales." province." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "But the mystery?" "Do you go out much in society?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your works. See paragraph 1.E below. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it my secret was safe in his possession. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he think that any burglar could have done. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off amused." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made that the gas is not laid on in his house?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." once more for Briony Lodge. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' ventilator." envelope. "Dark enough and sinister enough." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "It is a murder, then?" British peeress.'" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "That is unusual in a young girl." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes to his chemical studies. should be so warm over such a trifle." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "And why?" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Of Friday, June 19th." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Frequently." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and upon an income of about 60 pounds." could go. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "'Stolen!' he cried. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Countess of Morcar's?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the returning from some small jollification and was making his way putting in the horse.