Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, The - Doyle

8/3/2019 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, The - Doyle

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THEADVENTURESOFSHERLOCKHOLMESbySIRARTHURCONANDOYLE

I.AScandalinBohemiaII.TheRed-headedLeagueIII.ACaseofIdentityIV.TheBoscombeValleyMysteryV.TheFiveOrangePipsVI.TheManwiththeTwistedLipVII.TheAdventureoftheBlueCarbuncleVIII.TheAdventureoftheSpeckledBandIX.TheAdventureoftheEngineer'sThumbX.TheAdventureoftheNobleBachelorXI.TheAdventureoftheBerylCoronetXII.TheAdventureoftheCopperBeeches

ADVENTUREI.ASCANDALINBOHEMIA

I.

ToSherlockHolmessheisalwaysTHEwoman.Ihaveseldomheardhimmentionherunderanyothername.Inhiseyessheeclipsesandpredominatesthewholeofhersex.ItwasnotthathefeltanyemotionakintoloveforIreneAdler.Allemotions,andthatoneparticularly,wereabhorrenttohiscold,precisebutadmirablybalancedmind.Hewas,Itakeit,themostperfectreasoningandobservingmachinethattheworldhasseen,butasaloverhewouldhaveplacedhimselfinafalseposition.Heneverspokeofthesofterpassions,savewithagibeandasneer.Theywereadmirablethingsfortheobserver--excellentfordrawingtheveilfrommen'smotivesandactions.Butforthetrainedreasoner

toadmitsuchintrusionsintohisowndelicateandfinelyadjustedtemperamentwastointroduceadistractingfactorwhichmightthrowadoubtuponallhismentalresults.Gritinasensitiveinstrument,oracrackinoneofhisownhigh-powerlenses,wouldnotbemoredisturbingthanastrongemotioninanaturesuchashis.Andyettherewasbutonewomantohim,andthatwomanwasthelateIreneAdler,ofdubiousandquestionablememory.

IhadseenlittleofHolmeslately.Mymarriagehaddriftedusawayfromeachother.Myowncompletehappiness,andthehome-centredinterestswhichriseuparoundthemanwhofirstfindshimselfmasterofhisownestablishment,weresufficientto

absorballmyattention,whileHolmes,wholoathedeveryformofsocietywithhiswholeBohemiansoul,remainedinourlodgingsinBakerStreet,buriedamonghisoldbooks,andalternatingfromweektoweekbetweencocaineandambition,thedrowsinessofthedrug,andthefierceenergyofhisownkeennature.Hewasstill,asever,deeplyattractedbythestudyofcrime,andoccupiedhisimmensefacultiesandextraordinarypowersofobservationinfollowingoutthoseclues,andclearingupthosemysterieswhichhadbeenabandonedashopelessbytheofficialpolice.FromtimetotimeIheardsomevagueaccountofhisdoings:ofhissummons


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toOdessainthecaseoftheTrepoffmurder,ofhisclearingupofthesingulartragedyoftheAtkinsonbrothersatTrincomalee,andfinallyofthemissionwhichhehadaccomplishedsodelicatelyandsuccessfullyforthereigningfamilyofHolland.Beyondthesesignsofhisactivity,however,whichImerelysharedwithallthereadersofthedailypress,Iknewlittleofmyformerfriendandcompanion.

Onenight--itwasonthetwentiethofMarch,1888--Iwasreturningfromajourneytoapatient(forIhadnowreturnedtocivilpractice),whenmywayledmethroughBakerStreet.AsIpassedthewell-remembereddoor,whichmustalwaysbeassociatedinmymindwithmywooing,andwiththedarkincidentsoftheStudyinScarlet,IwasseizedwithakeendesiretoseeHolmesagain,andtoknowhowhewasemployinghisextraordinarypowers.Hisroomswerebrilliantlylit,and,evenasIlookedup,Isawhistall,sparefigurepasstwiceinadarksilhouetteagainsttheblind.Hewaspacingtheroomswiftly,eagerly,withhisheadsunkuponhischestandhishandsclaspedbehindhim.Tome,whoknewhiseverymoodandhabit,hisattitudeandmannertoldtheirownstory.Hewasatworkagain.Hehadrisenoutofhisdrug-createddreamsandwashotuponthescentofsomenewproblem.Irangthebellandwasshownuptothechamberwhichhadformerlybeeninpartmyown.

Hismannerwasnoteffusive.Itseldomwas;buthewasglad,Ithink,toseeme.Withhardlyawordspoken,butwithakindlyeye,hewavedmetoanarmchair,threwacrosshiscaseofcigars,andindicatedaspiritcaseandagasogeneinthecorner.Thenhestoodbeforethefireandlookedmeoverinhissingularintrospectivefashion.

"Wedlocksuitsyou,"heremarked."Ithink,Watson,thatyouhaveputonsevenandahalfpoundssinceIsawyou."

"Seven!"Ianswered.

"Indeed,Ishouldhavethoughtalittlemore.Justatriflemore,Ifancy,Watson.Andinpracticeagain,Iobserve.Youdidnottellmethatyouintendedtogointoharness."

"Then,howdoyouknow?"

"Iseeit,Ideduceit.HowdoIknowthatyouhavebeengettingyourselfverywetlately,andthatyouhaveamostclumsyandcarelessservantgirl?"

"MydearHolmes,"saidI,"thisistoomuch.Youwouldcertainlyhavebeenburned,hadyoulivedafewcenturiesago.ItistruethatIhadacountrywalkonThursdayandcamehomeinadreadful

mess,butasIhavechangedmyclothesIcan'timaginehowyoudeduceit.AstoMaryJane,sheisincorrigible,andmywifehasgivenhernotice,butthere,again,Ifailtoseehowyouworkitout."

Hechuckledtohimselfandrubbedhislong,nervoushandstogether.

"Itissimplicityitself,"saidhe;"myeyestellmethatontheinsideofyourleftshoe,justwherethefirelightstrikesit,


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theleatherisscoredbysixalmostparallelcuts.Obviouslytheyhavebeencausedbysomeonewhohasverycarelesslyscrapedroundtheedgesofthesoleinordertoremovecrustedmudfromit.Hence,yousee,mydoubledeductionthatyouhadbeenoutinvileweather,andthatyouhadaparticularlymalignantboot-slittingspecimenoftheLondonslavey.Astoyourpractice,ifagentlemanwalksintomyroomssmellingofiodoform,withablackmarkofnitrateofsilveruponhisrightforefinger,andabulgeontherightsideofhistop-hattoshowwherehehassecretedhisstethoscope,Imustbedull,indeed,ifIdonotpronouncehimtobeanactivememberofthemedicalprofession."

Icouldnothelplaughingattheeasewithwhichheexplainedhisprocessofdeduction."WhenIhearyougiveyourreasons,"Iremarked,"thethingalwaysappearstometobesoridiculouslysimplethatIcouldeasilydoitmyself,thoughateachsuccessiveinstanceofyourreasoningIambaffleduntilyouexplainyourprocess.AndyetIbelievethatmyeyesareasgoodasyours."

"Quiteso,"heanswered,lightingacigarette,andthrowinghimselfdownintoanarmchair."Yousee,butyoudonotobserve.Thedistinctionisclear.Forexample,youhavefrequentlyseenthestepswhichleadupfromthehalltothisroom."

"Frequently."

"Howoften?"

"Well,somehundredsoftimes."

"Thenhowmanyarethere?"

"Howmany?Idon'tknow."

"Quiteso!Youhavenotobserved.Andyetyouhaveseen.Thatisjustmypoint.Now,Iknowthatthereareseventeensteps,

becauseIhavebothseenandobserved.By-the-way,sinceyouareinterestedintheselittleproblems,andsinceyouaregoodenoughtochronicleoneortwoofmytriflingexperiences,youmaybeinterestedinthis."Hethrewoverasheetofthick,pink-tintednote-paperwhichhadbeenlyingopenuponthetable."Itcamebythelastpost,"saidhe."Readitaloud."

Thenotewasundated,andwithouteithersignatureoraddress.

"Therewillcalluponyouto-night,ataquartertoeighto'clock,"itsaid,"agentlemanwhodesirestoconsultyouuponamatteroftheverydeepestmoment.YourrecentservicestooneoftheroyalhousesofEuropehaveshownthatyouareonewhomay

safelybetrustedwithmatterswhichareofanimportancewhichcanhardlybeexaggerated.Thisaccountofyouwehavefromallquartersreceived.Beinyourchamberthenatthathour,anddonottakeitamissifyourvisitorwearamask."

"Thisisindeedamystery,"Iremarked."Whatdoyouimaginethatitmeans?"

"Ihavenodatayet.Itisacapitalmistaketotheorizebeforeonehasdata.Insensiblyonebeginstotwistfactstosuit


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theories,insteadoftheoriestosuitfacts.Butthenoteitself.Whatdoyoudeducefromit?"

Icarefullyexaminedthewriting,andthepaperuponwhichitwaswritten.

"Themanwhowroteitwaspresumablywelltodo,"Iremarked,endeavouringtoimitatemycompanion'sprocesses."Suchpapercouldnotbeboughtunderhalfacrownapacket.Itispeculiarlystrongandstiff."

"Peculiar--thatistheveryword,"saidHolmes."ItisnotanEnglishpaperatall.Holdituptothelight."

Ididso,andsawalarge"E"withasmall"g,"a"P,"andalarge"G"withasmall"t"wovenintothetextureofthepaper.

"Whatdoyoumakeofthat?"askedHolmes.

"Thenameofthemaker,nodoubt;orhismonogram,rather."

"Notatall.The'G'withthesmall't'standsfor'Gesellschaft,'whichistheGermanfor'Company.'Itisacustomarycontractionlikeour'Co.''P,'ofcourse,standsfor

'Papier.'Nowforthe'Eg.'LetusglanceatourContinentalGazetteer."Hetookdownaheavybrownvolumefromhisshelves."Eglow,Eglonitz--hereweare,Egria.ItisinaGerman-speakingcountry--inBohemia,notfarfromCarlsbad.'RemarkableasbeingthesceneofthedeathofWallenstein,andforitsnumerousglass-factoriesandpaper-mills.'Ha,ha,myboy,whatdoyoumakeofthat?"Hiseyessparkled,andhesentupagreatbluetriumphantcloudfromhiscigarette.

"ThepaperwasmadeinBohemia,"Isaid.

"Precisely.AndthemanwhowrotethenoteisaGerman.Doyounotethepeculiarconstructionofthesentence--'Thisaccountof

youwehavefromallquartersreceived.'AFrenchmanorRussiancouldnothavewrittenthat.ItistheGermanwhoissouncourteoustohisverbs.Itonlyremains,therefore,todiscoverwhatiswantedbythisGermanwhowritesuponBohemianpaperandpreferswearingamasktoshowinghisface.Andherehecomes,ifIamnotmistaken,toresolveallourdoubts."

Ashespoketherewasthesharpsoundofhorses'hoofsandgratingwheelsagainstthecurb,followedbyasharppullatthebell.Holmeswhistled.

"Apair,bythesound,"saidhe."Yes,"hecontinued,glancingoutofthewindow."Anicelittlebroughamandapairof

beauties.Ahundredandfiftyguineasapiece.There'smoneyinthiscase,Watson,ifthereisnothingelse."

"IthinkthatIhadbettergo,Holmes."

"Notabit,Doctor.Staywhereyouare.IamlostwithoutmyBoswell.Andthispromisestobeinteresting.Itwouldbeapitytomissit."

"Butyourclient--"


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"Nevermindhim.Imaywantyourhelp,andsomayhe.Herehecomes.Sitdowninthatarmchair,Doctor,andgiveusyourbestattention."

Aslowandheavystep,whichhadbeenhearduponthestairsandinthepassage,pausedimmediatelyoutsidethedoor.Thentherewasaloudandauthoritativetap.

"Comein!"saidHolmes.

Amanenteredwhocouldhardlyhavebeenlessthansixfeetsixinchesinheight,withthechestandlimbsofaHercules.Hisdresswasrichwitharichnesswhichwould,inEngland,belookeduponasakintobadtaste.Heavybandsofastrakhanwereslashedacrossthesleevesandfrontsofhisdouble-breastedcoat,whilethedeepbluecloakwhichwasthrownoverhisshoulderswaslinedwithflame-colouredsilkandsecuredattheneckwithabroochwhichconsistedofasingleflamingberyl.Bootswhichextendedhalfwayuphiscalves,andwhichweretrimmedatthetopswithrichbrownfur,completedtheimpressionofbarbaricopulencewhichwassuggestedbyhiswholeappearance.Hecarriedabroad-brimmedhatinhishand,whileheworeacrosstheupperpartofhisface,extendingdownpastthecheekbones,ablack

vizardmask,whichhehadapparentlyadjustedthatverymoment,forhishandwasstillraisedtoitasheentered.Fromthelowerpartofthefaceheappearedtobeamanofstrongcharacter,withathick,hanginglip,andalong,straightchinsuggestiveofresolutionpushedtothelengthofobstinacy.

"Youhadmynote?"heaskedwithadeepharshvoiceandastronglymarkedGermanaccent."ItoldyouthatIwouldcall."Helookedfromonetotheotherofus,asifuncertainwhichtoaddress.

"Praytakeaseat,"saidHolmes."Thisismyfriendandcolleague,Dr.Watson,whoisoccasionallygoodenoughtohelpme

inmycases.WhomhaveIthehonourtoaddress?"

"YoumayaddressmeastheCountVonKramm,aBohemiannobleman.Iunderstandthatthisgentleman,yourfriend,isamanofhonouranddiscretion,whomImaytrustwithamatterofthemostextremeimportance.Ifnot,Ishouldmuchprefertocommunicatewithyoualone."

Irosetogo,butHolmescaughtmebythewristandpushedmebackintomychair."Itisboth,ornone,"saidhe."Youmaysaybeforethisgentlemananythingwhichyoumaysaytome."

TheCountshruggedhisbroadshoulders."ThenImustbegin,"said

he,"bybindingyoubothtoabsolutesecrecyfortwoyears;attheendofthattimethematterwillbeofnoimportance.AtpresentitisnottoomuchtosaythatitisofsuchweightitmayhaveaninfluenceuponEuropeanhistory."

"Ipromise,"saidHolmes.

"AndI."

"Youwillexcusethismask,"continuedourstrangevisitor."The


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augustpersonwhoemploysmewisheshisagenttobeunknowntoyou,andImayconfessatoncethatthetitlebywhichIhavejustcalledmyselfisnotexactlymyown."

"Iwasawareofit,"saidHolmesdryly.

"Thecircumstancesareofgreatdelicacy,andeveryprecautionhastobetakentoquenchwhatmightgrowtobeanimmensescandalandseriouslycompromiseoneofthereigningfamiliesofEurope.Tospeakplainly,thematterimplicatesthegreatHouseofOrmstein,hereditarykingsofBohemia."

"Iwasalsoawareofthat,"murmuredHolmes,settlinghimselfdowninhisarmchairandclosinghiseyes.

Ourvisitorglancedwithsomeapparentsurpriseatthelanguid,loungingfigureofthemanwhohadbeennodoubtdepictedtohimasthemostincisivereasonerandmostenergeticagentinEurope.Holmesslowlyreopenedhiseyesandlookedimpatientlyathisgiganticclient.

"IfyourMajestywouldcondescendtostateyourcase,"heremarked,"Ishouldbebetterabletoadviseyou."

Themansprangfromhischairandpacedupanddowntheroominuncontrollableagitation.Then,withagestureofdesperation,hetorethemaskfromhisfaceandhurleditupontheground."Youareright,"hecried;"IamtheKing.WhyshouldIattempttoconcealit?"

"Why,indeed?"murmuredHolmes."YourMajestyhadnotspokenbeforeIwasawarethatIwasaddressingWilhelmGottsreichSigismondvonOrmstein,GrandDukeofCassel-Felstein,andhereditaryKingofBohemia."

"Butyoucanunderstand,"saidourstrangevisitor,sittingdownoncemoreandpassinghishandoverhishighwhiteforehead,"you

canunderstandthatIamnotaccustomedtodoingsuchbusinessinmyownperson.YetthematterwassodelicatethatIcouldnotconfideittoanagentwithoutputtingmyselfinhispower.IhavecomeincognitofromPragueforthepurposeofconsultingyou."

"Then,prayconsult,"saidHolmes,shuttinghiseyesoncemore.

"Thefactsarebrieflythese:Somefiveyearsago,duringalengthyvisittoWarsaw,Imadetheacquaintanceofthewell-knownadventuress,IreneAdler.Thenameisnodoubtfamiliartoyou."

"Kindlylookherupinmyindex,Doctor,"murmuredHolmeswithout

openinghiseyes.Formanyyearshehadadoptedasystemofdocketingallparagraphsconcerningmenandthings,sothatitwasdifficulttonameasubjectorapersononwhichhecouldnotatoncefurnishinformation.InthiscaseIfoundherbiographysandwichedinbetweenthatofaHebrewrabbiandthatofastaff-commanderwhohadwrittenamonographuponthedeep-seafishes.

"Letmesee!"saidHolmes."Hum!BorninNewJerseyintheyear1858.Contralto--hum!LaScala,hum!PrimadonnaImperialOpera


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ofWarsaw--yes!Retiredfromoperaticstage--ha!LivinginLondon--quiteso!YourMajesty,asIunderstand,becameentangledwiththisyoungperson,wrotehersomecompromisingletters,andisnowdesirousofgettingthoselettersback."

"Preciselyso.Buthow--"

"Wasthereasecretmarriage?"

"None."

"Nolegalpapersorcertificates?"

"None."

"ThenIfailtofollowyourMajesty.Ifthisyoungpersonshouldproduceherlettersforblackmailingorotherpurposes,howisshetoprovetheirauthenticity?"

"Thereisthewriting."

"Pooh,pooh!Forgery."

"Myprivatenote-paper."

"Stolen."

"Myownseal."

"Imitated."

"Myphotograph."

"Bought."

"Wewerebothinthephotograph."

"Oh,dear!Thatisverybad!YourMajestyhasindeedcommittedanindiscretion."

"Iwasmad--insane."

"Youhavecompromisedyourselfseriously."

"IwasonlyCrownPrincethen.Iwasyoung.Iambutthirtynow."

"Itmustberecovered."

"Wehavetriedandfailed."

"YourMajestymustpay.Itmustbebought."

"Shewillnotsell."

"Stolen,then."

"Fiveattemptshavebeenmade.Twiceburglarsinmypayransackedherhouse.Oncewedivertedherluggagewhenshetravelled.Twiceshehasbeenwaylaid.Therehasbeennoresult."


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"Nosignofit?"

"Absolutelynone."

Holmeslaughed."Itisquiteaprettylittleproblem,"saidhe.

"Butaveryseriousonetome,"returnedtheKingreproachfully.

"Very,indeed.Andwhatdoessheproposetodowiththephotograph?"

"Toruinme."

"Buthow?"

"Iamabouttobemarried."

"SoIhaveheard."

"ToClotildeLothmanvonSaxe-Meningen,seconddaughteroftheKingofScandinavia.Youmayknowthestrictprinciplesofherfamily.Sheisherselftheverysoulofdelicacy.Ashadowofadoubtastomyconductwouldbringthemattertoanend."

"AndIreneAdler?"

"Threatenstosendthemthephotograph.Andshewilldoit.Iknowthatshewilldoit.Youdonotknowher,butshehasasoulofsteel.Shehasthefaceofthemostbeautifulofwomen,andthemindofthemostresoluteofmen.RatherthanIshouldmarryanotherwoman,therearenolengthstowhichshewouldnotgo--none."

"Youaresurethatshehasnotsentityet?"

"Iamsure."

"Andwhy?"

"Becauseshehassaidthatshewouldsenditonthedaywhenthebetrothalwaspubliclyproclaimed.ThatwillbenextMonday."

"Oh,thenwehavethreedaysyet,"saidHolmeswithayawn."Thatisveryfortunate,asIhaveoneortwomattersofimportancetolookintojustatpresent.YourMajestywill,ofcourse,stayinLondonforthepresent?"

"Certainly.YouwillfindmeattheLanghamunderthenameoftheCountVonKramm."

"ThenIshalldropyoualinetoletyouknowhowweprogress."

"Praydoso.Ishallbeallanxiety."

"Then,astomoney?"

"Youhavecarteblanche."

"Absolutely?"


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"ItellyouthatIwouldgiveoneoftheprovincesofmykingdomtohavethatphotograph."

"Andforpresentexpenses?"

TheKingtookaheavychamoisleatherbagfromunderhiscloakandlaiditonthetable.

"Therearethreehundredpoundsingoldandsevenhundredinnotes,"hesaid.

Holmesscribbledareceiptuponasheetofhisnote-bookandhandedittohim.

"AndMademoiselle'saddress?"heasked.

"IsBrionyLodge,SerpentineAvenue,St.John'sWood."

Holmestookanoteofit."Oneotherquestion,"saidhe."Wasthephotographacabinet?"

"Itwas."

"Then,good-night,yourMajesty,andItrustthatweshallsoon

havesomegoodnewsforyou.Andgood-night,Watson,"headded,asthewheelsoftheroyalbroughamrolleddownthestreet."Ifyouwillbegoodenoughtocallto-morrowafternoonatthreeo'clockIshouldliketochatthislittlematteroverwithyou."

II.

Atthreeo'clockpreciselyIwasatBakerStreet,butHolmeshadnotyetreturned.Thelandladyinformedmethathehadleftthehouseshortlyaftereighto'clockinthemorning.Isatdownbesidethefire,however,withtheintentionofawaitinghim,howeverlonghemightbe.Iwasalreadydeeplyinterestedinhis

inquiry,for,thoughitwassurroundedbynoneofthegrimandstrangefeatureswhichwereassociatedwiththetwocrimeswhichIhavealreadyrecorded,still,thenatureofthecaseandtheexaltedstationofhisclientgaveitacharacterofitsown.Indeed,apartfromthenatureoftheinvestigationwhichmyfriendhadonhand,therewassomethinginhismasterlygraspofasituation,andhiskeen,incisivereasoning,whichmadeitapleasuretometostudyhissystemofwork,andtofollowthequick,subtlemethodsbywhichhedisentangledthemostinextricablemysteries.SoaccustomedwasItohisinvariablesuccessthattheverypossibilityofhisfailinghadceasedtoenterintomyhead.

Itwascloseuponfourbeforethedooropened,andadrunken-lookinggroom,ill-kemptandside-whiskered,withaninflamedfaceanddisreputableclothes,walkedintotheroom.AccustomedasIwastomyfriend'samazingpowersintheuseofdisguises,IhadtolookthreetimesbeforeIwascertainthatitwasindeedhe.Withanodhevanishedintothebedroom,whenceheemergedinfiveminutestweed-suitedandrespectable,asofold.Puttinghishandsintohispockets,hestretchedouthislegsinfrontofthefireandlaughedheartilyforsomeminutes.


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"Well,really!"hecried,andthenhechokedandlaughedagainuntilhewasobligedtolieback,limpandhelpless,inthechair.

"Whatisit?"

"It'squitetoofunny.IamsureyoucouldneverguesshowIemployedmymorning,orwhatIendedbydoing."

"Ican'timagine.Isupposethatyouhavebeenwatchingthehabits,andperhapsthehouse,ofMissIreneAdler."

"Quiteso;butthesequelwasratherunusual.Iwilltellyou,however.Ileftthehousealittleaftereighto'clockthismorninginthecharacterofagroomoutofwork.Thereisawonderfulsympathyandfreemasonryamonghorseymen.Beoneofthem,andyouwillknowallthatthereistoknow.IsoonfoundBrionyLodge.Itisabijouvilla,withagardenattheback,butbuiltoutinfrontrightuptotheroad,twostories.Chubblocktothedoor.Largesitting-roomontherightside,wellfurnished,withlongwindowsalmosttothefloor,andthosepreposterousEnglishwindowfastenerswhichachildcouldopen.Behindtherewasnothingremarkable,savethatthepassagewindowcouldbereachedfromthetopofthecoach-house.Iwalkedround

itandexamineditcloselyfromeverypointofview,butwithoutnotinganythingelseofinterest.

"Ithenloungeddownthestreetandfound,asIexpected,thattherewasamewsinalanewhichrunsdownbyonewallofthegarden.Ilenttheostlersahandinrubbingdowntheirhorses,andreceivedinexchangetwopence,aglassofhalfandhalf,twofillsofshagtobacco,andasmuchinformationasIcoulddesireaboutMissAdler,tosaynothingofhalfadozenotherpeopleintheneighbourhoodinwhomIwasnotintheleastinterested,butwhosebiographiesIwascompelledtolistento."

"AndwhatofIreneAdler?"Iasked.

"Oh,shehasturnedallthemen'sheadsdowninthatpart.Sheisthedaintiestthingunderabonnetonthisplanet.SosaytheSerpentine-mews,toaman.Shelivesquietly,singsatconcerts,drivesoutatfiveeveryday,andreturnsatsevensharpfordinner.Seldomgoesoutatothertimes,exceptwhenshesings.Hasonlyonemalevisitor,butagooddealofhim.Heisdark,handsome,anddashing,nevercallslessthanonceaday,andoftentwice.HeisaMr.GodfreyNorton,oftheInnerTemple.Seetheadvantagesofacabmanasaconfidant.TheyhaddrivenhimhomeadozentimesfromSerpentine-mews,andknewallabouthim.WhenIhadlistenedtoalltheyhadtotell,IbegantowalkupanddownnearBrionyLodgeoncemore,andtothinkovermyplan

ofcampaign.

"ThisGodfreyNortonwasevidentlyanimportantfactorinthematter.Hewasalawyer.Thatsoundedominous.Whatwastherelationbetweenthem,andwhattheobjectofhisrepeatedvisits?Wasshehisclient,hisfriend,orhismistress?Iftheformer,shehadprobablytransferredthephotographtohiskeeping.Ifthelatter,itwaslesslikely.OntheissueofthisquestiondependedwhetherIshouldcontinuemyworkatBrionyLodge,orturnmyattentiontothegentleman'schambersinthe


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Temple.Itwasadelicatepoint,anditwidenedthefieldofmyinquiry.IfearthatIboreyouwiththesedetails,butIhavetoletyouseemylittledifficulties,ifyouaretounderstandthesituation."

"Iamfollowingyouclosely,"Ianswered.

"IwasstillbalancingthematterinmymindwhenahansomcabdroveuptoBrionyLodge,andagentlemansprangout.Hewasaremarkablyhandsomeman,dark,aquiline,andmoustached--evidentlythemanofwhomIhadheard.Heappearedtobeinagreathurry,shoutedtothecabmantowait,andbrushedpastthemaidwhoopenedthedoorwiththeairofamanwhowasthoroughlyathome.

"Hewasinthehouseabouthalfanhour,andIcouldcatchglimpsesofhiminthewindowsofthesitting-room,pacingupanddown,talkingexcitedly,andwavinghisarms.OfherIcouldseenothing.Presentlyheemerged,lookingevenmoreflurriedthanbefore.Ashesteppeduptothecab,hepulledagoldwatchfromhispocketandlookedatitearnestly,'Drivelikethedevil,'heshouted,'firsttoGross&Hankey'sinRegentStreet,andthentotheChurchofSt.MonicaintheEdgewareRoad.Halfaguineaifyoudoitintwentyminutes!'

"Awaytheywent,andIwasjustwonderingwhetherIshouldnotdowelltofollowthemwhenupthelanecameaneatlittlelandau,thecoachmanwithhiscoatonlyhalf-buttoned,andhistieunderhisear,whileallthetagsofhisharnesswerestickingoutofthebuckles.Ithadn'tpulledupbeforesheshotoutofthehalldoorandintoit.Ionlycaughtaglimpseofheratthemoment,butshewasalovelywoman,withafacethatamanmightdiefor.

"'TheChurchofSt.Monica,John,'shecried,'andhalfasovereignifyoureachitintwentyminutes.'

"Thiswasquitetoogoodtolose,Watson.Iwasjustbalancing

whetherIshouldrunforit,orwhetherIshouldperchbehindherlandauwhenacabcamethroughthestreet.Thedriverlookedtwiceatsuchashabbyfare,butIjumpedinbeforehecouldobject.'TheChurchofSt.Monica,'saidI,'andhalfasovereignifyoureachitintwentyminutes.'Itwastwenty-fiveminutestotwelve,andofcourseitwasclearenoughwhatwasinthewind.

"Mycabbydrovefast.Idon'tthinkIeverdrovefaster,buttheothersweretherebeforeus.ThecabandthelandauwiththeirsteaminghorseswereinfrontofthedoorwhenIarrived.Ipaidthemanandhurriedintothechurch.TherewasnotasoultheresavethetwowhomIhadfollowedandasurplicedclergyman,whoseemedtobeexpostulatingwiththem.Theywereallthree

standinginaknotinfrontofthealtar.Iloungedupthesideaislelikeanyotheridlerwhohasdroppedintoachurch.Suddenly,tomysurprise,thethreeatthealtarfacedroundtome,andGodfreyNortoncamerunningashardashecouldtowardsme.

"'ThankGod,'hecried.'You'lldo.Come!Come!'

"'Whatthen?'Iasked.


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"'Come,man,come,onlythreeminutes,oritwon'tbelegal.'

"Iwashalf-draggeduptothealtar,andbeforeIknewwhereIwasIfoundmyselfmumblingresponseswhichwerewhisperedinmyear,andvouchingforthingsofwhichIknewnothing,andgenerallyassistinginthesecuretyingupofIreneAdler,spinster,toGodfreyNorton,bachelor.Itwasalldoneinaninstant,andtherewasthegentlemanthankingmeontheonesideandtheladyontheother,whiletheclergymanbeamedonmeinfront.ItwasthemostpreposterouspositioninwhichIeverfoundmyselfinmylife,anditwasthethoughtofitthatstartedmelaughingjustnow.Itseemsthattherehadbeensomeinformalityabouttheirlicense,thattheclergymanabsolutelyrefusedtomarrythemwithoutawitnessofsomesort,andthatmyluckyappearancesavedthebridegroomfromhavingtosallyoutintothestreetsinsearchofabestman.Thebridegavemeasovereign,andImeantowearitonmywatch-chaininmemoryoftheoccasion."

"Thisisaveryunexpectedturnofaffairs,"saidI;"andwhatthen?"

"Well,Ifoundmyplansveryseriouslymenaced.Itlookedasifthepairmighttakeanimmediatedeparture,andsonecessitateverypromptandenergeticmeasuresonmypart.Atthechurch

door,however,theyseparated,hedrivingbacktotheTemple,andshetoherownhouse.'Ishalldriveoutintheparkatfiveasusual,'shesaidasshelefthim.Iheardnomore.Theydroveawayindifferentdirections,andIwentofftomakemyownarrangements."

"Whichare?"

"Somecoldbeefandaglassofbeer,"heanswered,ringingthebell."Ihavebeentoobusytothinkoffood,andIamlikelytobebusierstillthisevening.Bytheway,Doctor,Ishallwantyourco-operation."

"Ishallbedelighted."

"Youdon'tmindbreakingthelaw?"

"Notintheleast."

"Norrunningachanceofarrest?"

"Notinagoodcause."

"Oh,thecauseisexcellent!"

"ThenIamyourman."

"IwassurethatImightrelyonyou."

"Butwhatisityouwish?"

"WhenMrs.TurnerhasbroughtinthetrayIwillmakeitcleartoyou.Now,"hesaidasheturnedhungrilyonthesimplefarethatourlandladyhadprovided,"ImustdiscussitwhileIeat,forIhavenotmuchtime.Itisnearlyfivenow.Intwohourswemustbeonthesceneofaction.MissIrene,orMadame,rather,returns


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fromherdriveatseven.WemustbeatBrionyLodgetomeether."

"Andwhatthen?"

"Youmustleavethattome.Ihavealreadyarrangedwhatistooccur.ThereisonlyonepointonwhichImustinsist.Youmustnotinterfere,comewhatmay.Youunderstand?"

"Iamtobeneutral?"

"Todonothingwhatever.Therewillprobablybesomesmallunpleasantness.Donotjoininit.Itwillendinmybeingconveyedintothehouse.Fourorfiveminutesafterwardsthesitting-roomwindowwillopen.Youaretostationyourselfclosetothatopenwindow."

"Yes."

"Youaretowatchme,forIwillbevisibletoyou."

"Yes."

"AndwhenIraisemyhand--so--youwillthrowintotheroomwhatIgiveyoutothrow,andwill,atthesametime,raisethecryof

fire.Youquitefollowme?"

"Entirely."

"Itisnothingveryformidable,"hesaid,takingalongcigar-shapedrollfromhispocket."Itisanordinaryplumber'ssmoke-rocket,fittedwithacapateitherendtomakeitself-lighting.Yourtaskisconfinedtothat.Whenyouraiseyourcryoffire,itwillbetakenupbyquiteanumberofpeople.Youmaythenwalktotheendofthestreet,andIwillrejoinyouintenminutes.IhopethatIhavemademyselfclear?"

"Iamtoremainneutral,togetnearthewindow,towatchyou,

andatthesignaltothrowinthisobject,thentoraisethecryoffire,andtowaityouatthecornerofthestreet."

"Precisely."

"Thenyoumayentirelyrelyonme."

"Thatisexcellent.Ithink,perhaps,itisalmosttimethatIprepareforthenewroleIhavetoplay."

Hedisappearedintohisbedroomandreturnedinafewminutesinthecharacterofanamiableandsimple-mindedNonconformistclergyman.Hisbroadblackhat,hisbaggytrousers,hiswhite

tie,hissympatheticsmile,andgenerallookofpeeringandbenevolentcuriosityweresuchasMr.JohnHarealonecouldhaveequalled.ItwasnotmerelythatHolmeschangedhiscostume.Hisexpression,hismanner,hisverysoulseemedtovarywitheveryfreshpartthatheassumed.Thestagelostafineactor,evenassciencelostanacutereasoner,whenhebecameaspecialistincrime.

ItwasaquarterpastsixwhenweleftBakerStreet,anditstillwantedtenminutestothehourwhenwefoundourselvesin


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SerpentineAvenue.Itwasalreadydusk,andthelampswerejustbeinglightedaswepacedupanddowninfrontofBrionyLodge,waitingforthecomingofitsoccupant.ThehousewasjustsuchasIhadpictureditfromSherlockHolmes'succinctdescription,butthelocalityappearedtobelessprivatethanIexpected.Onthecontrary,forasmallstreetinaquietneighbourhood,itwasremarkablyanimated.Therewasagroupofshabbilydressedmensmokingandlaughinginacorner,ascissors-grinderwithhiswheel,twoguardsmenwhowereflirtingwithanurse-girl,andseveralwell-dressedyoungmenwhowereloungingupanddownwithcigarsintheirmouths.

"Yousee,"remarkedHolmes,aswepacedtoandfroinfrontofthehouse,"thismarriagerathersimplifiesmatters.Thephotographbecomesadouble-edgedweaponnow.ThechancesarethatshewouldbeasaversetoitsbeingseenbyMr.GodfreyNorton,asourclientistoitscomingtotheeyesofhisprincess.Nowthequestionis,Wherearewetofindthephotograph?"

"Where,indeed?"

"Itismostunlikelythatshecarriesitaboutwithher.Itiscabinetsize.Toolargeforeasyconcealmentaboutawoman's

dress.SheknowsthattheKingiscapableofhavingherwaylaidandsearched.Twoattemptsofthesorthavealreadybeenmade.Wemaytakeit,then,thatshedoesnotcarryitaboutwithher."

"Where,then?"

"Herbankerorherlawyer.Thereisthatdoublepossibility.ButIaminclinedtothinkneither.Womenarenaturallysecretive,andtheyliketodotheirownsecreting.Whyshouldshehanditovertoanyoneelse?Shecouldtrustherownguardianship,butshecouldnottellwhatindirectorpoliticalinfluencemightbebroughttobearuponabusinessman.Besides,rememberthatshehadresolvedtouseitwithinafewdays.Itmustbewhereshe

canlayherhandsuponit.Itmustbeinherownhouse."

"Butithastwicebeenburgled."

"Pshaw!Theydidnotknowhowtolook."

"Buthowwillyoulook?"

"Iwillnotlook."

"Whatthen?"

"Iwillgethertoshowme."

"Butshewillrefuse."

"Shewillnotbeableto.ButIheartherumbleofwheels.Itishercarriage.Nowcarryoutmyorderstotheletter."

Ashespokethegleamoftheside-lightsofacarriagecameroundthecurveoftheavenue.ItwasasmartlittlelandauwhichrattleduptothedoorofBrionyLodge.Asitpulledup,oneoftheloafingmenatthecornerdashedforwardtoopenthedoorin


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thehopeofearningacopper,butwaselbowedawaybyanotherloafer,whohadrushedupwiththesameintention.Afiercequarrelbrokeout,whichwasincreasedbythetwoguardsmen,whotooksideswithoneoftheloungers,andbythescissors-grinder,whowasequallyhotupontheotherside.Ablowwasstruck,andinaninstantthelady,whohadsteppedfromhercarriage,wasthecentreofalittleknotofflushedandstrugglingmen,whostrucksavagelyateachotherwiththeirfistsandsticks.Holmesdashedintothecrowdtoprotectthelady;butjustashereachedherhegaveacryanddroppedtotheground,withthebloodrunningfreelydownhisface.Athisfalltheguardsmentooktotheirheelsinonedirectionandtheloungersintheother,whileanumberofbetter-dressedpeople,whohadwatchedthescufflewithouttakingpartinit,crowdedintohelptheladyandtoattendtotheinjuredman.IreneAdler,asIwillstillcallher,hadhurriedupthesteps;butshestoodatthetopwithhersuperbfigureoutlinedagainstthelightsofthehall,lookingbackintothestreet.

"Isthepoorgentlemanmuchhurt?"sheasked.

"Heisdead,"criedseveralvoices.

"No,no,there'slifeinhim!"shoutedanother."Buthe'llbe

gonebeforeyoucangethimtohospital."

"He'sabravefellow,"saidawoman."Theywouldhavehadthelady'spurseandwatchifithadn'tbeenforhim.Theywereagang,andaroughone,too.Ah,he'sbreathingnow."

"Hecan'tlieinthestreet.Maywebringhimin,marm?"

"Surely.Bringhimintothesitting-room.Thereisacomfortablesofa.Thisway,please!"

SlowlyandsolemnlyhewasborneintoBrionyLodgeandlaidoutintheprincipalroom,whileIstillobservedtheproceedings

frommypostbythewindow.Thelampshadbeenlit,buttheblindshadnotbeendrawn,sothatIcouldseeHolmesashelayuponthecouch.Idonotknowwhetherhewasseizedwithcompunctionatthatmomentfortheparthewasplaying,butIknowthatIneverfeltmoreheartilyashamedofmyselfinmylifethanwhenIsawthebeautifulcreatureagainstwhomIwasconspiring,orthegraceandkindlinesswithwhichshewaitedupontheinjuredman.AndyetitwouldbetheblackesttreacherytoHolmestodrawbacknowfromthepartwhichhehadintrustedtome.Ihardenedmyheart,andtookthesmoke-rocketfromundermyulster.Afterall,Ithought,wearenotinjuringher.Wearebutpreventingherfrominjuringanother.

Holmeshadsatupuponthecouch,andIsawhimmotionlikeamanwhoisinneedofair.Amaidrushedacrossandthrewopenthewindow.AtthesameinstantIsawhimraisehishandandatthesignalItossedmyrocketintotheroomwithacryof"Fire!"Thewordwasnosooneroutofmymouththanthewholecrowdofspectators,welldressedandill--gentlemen,ostlers,andservant-maids--joinedinageneralshriekof"Fire!"Thickcloudsofsmokecurledthroughtheroomandoutattheopenwindow.Icaughtaglimpseofrushingfigures,andamomentlaterthevoiceofHolmesfromwithinassuringthemthatitwasafalsealarm.


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SlippingthroughtheshoutingcrowdImademywaytothecornerofthestreet,andintenminuteswasrejoicedtofindmyfriend'sarminmine,andtogetawayfromthesceneofuproar.HewalkedswiftlyandinsilenceforsomefewminutesuntilwehadturneddownoneofthequietstreetswhichleadtowardstheEdgewareRoad.

"Youdiditverynicely,Doctor,"heremarked."Nothingcouldhavebeenbetter.Itisallright."

"Youhavethephotograph?"

"Iknowwhereitis."

"Andhowdidyoufindout?"

"Sheshowedme,asItoldyoushewould."

"Iamstillinthedark."

"Idonotwishtomakeamystery,"saidhe,laughing."Thematterwasperfectlysimple.You,ofcourse,sawthateveryoneinthestreetwasanaccomplice.Theywereallengagedfortheevening."

"Iguessedasmuch."

"Then,whentherowbrokeout,Ihadalittlemoistredpaintinthepalmofmyhand.Irushedforward,felldown,clappedmyhandtomyface,andbecameapiteousspectacle.Itisanoldtrick."

"ThatalsoIcouldfathom."

"Thentheycarriedmein.Shewasboundtohavemein.Whatelsecouldshedo?Andintohersitting-room,whichwastheveryroomwhichIsuspected.Itlaybetweenthatandherbedroom,andIwasdeterminedtoseewhich.Theylaidmeonacouch,Imotionedforair,theywerecompelledtoopenthewindow,andyouhadyour

chance."

"Howdidthathelpyou?"

"Itwasall-important.Whenawomanthinksthatherhouseisonfire,herinstinctisatoncetorushtothethingwhichshevaluesmost.Itisaperfectlyoverpoweringimpulse,andIhavemorethanoncetakenadvantageofit.InthecaseoftheDarlingtonsubstitutionscandalitwasofusetome,andalsointheArnsworthCastlebusiness.Amarriedwomangrabsatherbaby;anunmarriedonereachesforherjewel-box.Nowitwascleartomethatourladyofto-dayhadnothinginthehousemoreprecioustoherthanwhatweareinquestof.Shewouldrushtosecureit.

Thealarmoffirewasadmirablydone.Thesmokeandshoutingwereenoughtoshakenervesofsteel.Sherespondedbeautifully.Thephotographisinarecessbehindaslidingpaneljustabovetherightbell-pull.Shewasthereinaninstant,andIcaughtaglimpseofitasshehalf-drewitout.WhenIcriedoutthatitwasafalsealarm,shereplacedit,glancedattherocket,rushedfromtheroom,andIhavenotseenhersince.Irose,and,makingmyexcuses,escapedfromthehouse.Ihesitatedwhethertoattempttosecurethephotographatonce;butthecoachmanhadcomein,andashewaswatchingmenarrowlyitseemedsaferto


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wait.Alittleover-precipitancemayruinall."

"Andnow?"Iasked.

"Ourquestispracticallyfinished.IshallcallwiththeKingto-morrow,andwithyou,ifyoucaretocomewithus.Wewillbeshownintothesitting-roomtowaitforthelady,butitisprobablethatwhenshecomesshemayfindneitherusnorthephotograph.ItmightbeasatisfactiontohisMajestytoregainitwithhisownhands."

"Andwhenwillyoucall?"

"Ateightinthemorning.Shewillnotbeup,sothatweshallhaveaclearfield.Besides,wemustbeprompt,forthismarriagemaymeanacompletechangeinherlifeandhabits.ImustwiretotheKingwithoutdelay."

WehadreachedBakerStreetandhadstoppedatthedoor.Hewassearchinghispocketsforthekeywhensomeonepassingsaid:

"Good-night,MisterSherlockHolmes."

Therewereseveralpeopleonthepavementatthetime,butthe

greetingappearedtocomefromaslimyouthinanulsterwhohadhurriedby.

"I'veheardthatvoicebefore,"saidHolmes,staringdownthedimlylitstreet."Now,Iwonderwhothedeucethatcouldhavebeen."

III.

IsleptatBakerStreetthatnight,andwewereengageduponourtoastandcoffeeinthemorningwhentheKingofBohemiarushedintotheroom.

"Youhavereallygotit!"hecried,graspingSherlockHolmesbyeithershoulderandlookingeagerlyintohisface.

"Notyet."

"Butyouhavehopes?"

"Ihavehopes."

"Then,come.Iamallimpatiencetobegone."

"Wemusthaveacab."

"No,mybroughamiswaiting."

"Thenthatwillsimplifymatters."WedescendedandstartedoffoncemoreforBrionyLodge.

"IreneAdlerismarried,"remarkedHolmes.

"Married!When?"


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"Yesterday."

"Buttowhom?"

"ToanEnglishlawyernamedNorton."

"Butshecouldnotlovehim."

"Iaminhopesthatshedoes."

"Andwhyinhopes?"

"BecauseitwouldspareyourMajestyallfearoffutureannoyance.Iftheladylovesherhusband,shedoesnotloveyourMajesty.IfshedoesnotloveyourMajesty,thereisnoreasonwhysheshouldinterferewithyourMajesty'splan."

"Itistrue.Andyet--Well!Iwishshehadbeenofmyownstation!Whataqueenshewouldhavemade!"Herelapsedintoamoodysilence,whichwasnotbrokenuntilwedrewupinSerpentineAvenue.

ThedoorofBrionyLodgewasopen,andanelderlywomanstooduponthesteps.Shewatcheduswithasardoniceyeaswestepped

fromthebrougham.

"Mr.SherlockHolmes,Ibelieve?"saidshe.

"IamMr.Holmes,"answeredmycompanion,lookingatherwithaquestioningandratherstartledgaze.

"Indeed!Mymistresstoldmethatyouwerelikelytocall.Sheleftthismorningwithherhusbandbythe5:15trainfromCharingCrossfortheContinent."

"What!"SherlockHolmesstaggeredback,whitewithchagrinandsurprise."DoyoumeanthatshehasleftEngland?"

"Nevertoreturn."

"Andthepapers?"askedtheKinghoarsely."Allislost."

"Weshallsee."Hepushedpasttheservantandrushedintothedrawing-room,followedbytheKingandmyself.Thefurniturewasscatteredaboutineverydirection,withdismantledshelvesandopendrawers,asiftheladyhadhurriedlyransackedthembeforeherflight.Holmesrushedatthebell-pull,torebackasmallslidingshutter,and,plunginginhishand,pulledoutaphotographandaletter.ThephotographwasofIreneAdlerherselfineveningdress,theletterwassuperscribedto

"SherlockHolmes,Esq.Tobelefttillcalledfor."Myfriendtoreitopenandweallthreereadittogether.Itwasdatedatmidnightoftheprecedingnightandraninthisway:

"MYDEARMR.SHERLOCKHOLMES,--Youreallydiditverywell.Youtookmeincompletely.Untilafterthealarmoffire,Ihadnotasuspicion.Butthen,whenIfoundhowIhadbetrayedmyself,Ibegantothink.Ihadbeenwarnedagainstyoumonthsago.IhadbeentoldthatiftheKingemployedanagentitwouldcertainlybeyou.Andyouraddresshadbeengivenme.Yet,withallthis,


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youmademerevealwhatyouwantedtoknow.EvenafterIbecamesuspicious,Ifoundithardtothinkevilofsuchadear,kindoldclergyman.But,youknow,Ihavebeentrainedasanactressmyself.Malecostumeisnothingnewtome.Ioftentakeadvantageofthefreedomwhichitgives.IsentJohn,thecoachman,towatchyou,ranupstairs,gotintomywalking-clothes,asIcallthem,andcamedownjustasyoudeparted.

"Well,Ifollowedyoutoyourdoor,andsomadesurethatIwasreallyanobjectofinteresttothecelebratedMr.SherlockHolmes.ThenI,ratherimprudently,wishedyougood-night,andstartedfortheTempletoseemyhusband.

"Weboththoughtthebestresourcewasflight,whenpursuedbysoformidableanantagonist;soyouwillfindthenestemptywhenyoucallto-morrow.Astothephotograph,yourclientmayrestinpeace.Iloveandamlovedbyabettermanthanhe.TheKingmaydowhathewillwithouthindrancefromonewhomhehascruellywronged.Ikeepitonlytosafeguardmyself,andtopreserveaweaponwhichwillalwayssecuremefromanystepswhichhemighttakeinthefuture.Ileaveaphotographwhichhemightcaretopossess;andIremain,dearMr.SherlockHolmes,

"Verytrulyyours,

"IRENENORTON,neADLER."

"Whatawoman--oh,whatawoman!"criedtheKingofBohemia,whenwehadallthreereadthisepistle."DidInottellyouhowquickandresoluteshewas?Wouldshenothavemadeanadmirablequeen?Isitnotapitythatshewasnotonmylevel?"

"FromwhatIhaveseenoftheladysheseemsindeedtobeonaverydifferentleveltoyourMajesty,"saidHolmescoldly."IamsorrythatIhavenotbeenabletobringyourMajesty'sbusinesstoamoresuccessfulconclusion."

"Onthecontrary,mydearsir,"criedtheKing;"nothingcouldbe

moresuccessful.Iknowthatherwordisinviolate.Thephotographisnowassafeasifitwereinthefire."

"IamgladtohearyourMajestysayso."

"Iamimmenselyindebtedtoyou.PraytellmeinwhatwayIcanrewardyou.Thisring--"Heslippedanemeraldsnakeringfromhisfingerandhelditoutuponthepalmofhishand.

"YourMajestyhassomethingwhichIshouldvalueevenmorehighly,"saidHolmes.

"Youhavebuttonameit."

"Thisphotograph!"

TheKingstaredathiminamazement.

"Irene'sphotograph!"hecried."Certainly,ifyouwishit."

"IthankyourMajesty.Thenthereisnomoretobedoneinthematter.Ihavethehonourtowishyouaverygood-morning."Hebowed,and,turningawaywithoutobservingthehandwhichthe


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Kinghadstretchedouttohim,hesetoffinmycompanyforhischambers.

AndthatwashowagreatscandalthreatenedtoaffectthekingdomofBohemia,andhowthebestplansofMr.SherlockHolmeswerebeatenbyawoman'swit.Heusedtomakemerryovertheclevernessofwomen,butIhavenotheardhimdoitoflate.AndwhenhespeaksofIreneAdler,orwhenhereferstoherphotograph,itisalwaysunderthehonourabletitleofthewoman.

ADVENTUREII.THERED-HEADEDLEAGUE

Ihadcalleduponmyfriend,Mr.SherlockHolmes,onedayintheautumnoflastyearandfoundhimindeepconversationwithaverystout,florid-faced,elderlygentlemanwithfieryredhair.Withanapologyformyintrusion,IwasabouttowithdrawwhenHolmespulledmeabruptlyintotheroomandclosedthedoorbehindme.

"Youcouldnotpossiblyhavecomeatabettertime,mydearWatson,"hesaidcordially.

"Iwasafraidthatyouwereengaged."

"SoIam.Verymuchso."

"ThenIcanwaitinthenextroom."

"Notatall.Thisgentleman,Mr.Wilson,hasbeenmypartnerandhelperinmanyofmymostsuccessfulcases,andIhavenodoubtthathewillbeoftheutmostusetomeinyoursalso."

Thestoutgentlemanhalfrosefromhischairandgaveabobofgreeting,withaquicklittlequestioningglancefromhissmallfat-encircledeyes.

"Trythesettee,"saidHolmes,relapsingintohisarmchairandputtinghisfingertipstogether,aswashiscustomwheninjudicialmoods."Iknow,mydearWatson,thatyousharemyloveofallthatisbizarreandoutsidetheconventionsandhumdrumroutineofeverydaylife.Youhaveshownyourrelishforitbytheenthusiasmwhichhaspromptedyoutochronicle,and,ifyouwillexcusemysayingso,somewhattoembellishsomanyofmyownlittleadventures."

"Yourcaseshaveindeedbeenofthegreatestinteresttome,"Iobserved.

"YouwillrememberthatIremarkedtheotherday,justbeforewewentintotheverysimpleproblempresentedbyMissMarySutherland,thatforstrangeeffectsandextraordinarycombinationswemustgotolifeitself,whichisalwaysfarmoredaringthananyeffortoftheimagination."

"ApropositionwhichItookthelibertyofdoubting."

"Youdid,Doctor,butnonethelessyoumustcomeroundtomyview,forotherwiseIshallkeeponpilingfactuponfactonyou


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untilyourreasonbreaksdownunderthemandacknowledgesmetoberight.Now,Mr.JabezWilsonherehasbeengoodenoughtocalluponmethismorning,andtobeginanarrativewhichpromisestobeoneofthemostsingularwhichIhavelistenedtoforsometime.Youhaveheardmeremarkthatthestrangestandmostuniquethingsareveryoftenconnectednotwiththelargerbutwiththesmallercrimes,andoccasionally,indeed,wherethereisroomfordoubtwhetheranypositivecrimehasbeencommitted.AsfarasIhavehearditisimpossibleformetosaywhetherthepresentcaseisaninstanceofcrimeornot,butthecourseofeventsiscertainlyamongthemostsingularthatIhaveeverlistenedto.Perhaps,Mr.Wilson,youwouldhavethegreatkindnesstorecommenceyournarrative.IaskyounotmerelybecausemyfriendDr.Watsonhasnotheardtheopeningpartbutalsobecausethepeculiarnatureofthestorymakesmeanxioustohaveeverypossibledetailfromyourlips.Asarule,whenIhaveheardsomeslightindicationofthecourseofevents,Iamabletoguidemyselfbythethousandsofothersimilarcaseswhichoccurtomymemory.InthepresentinstanceIamforcedtoadmitthatthefactsare,tothebestofmybelief,unique."

Theportlyclientpuffedouthischestwithanappearanceofsomelittleprideandpulledadirtyandwrinklednewspaperfromtheinsidepocketofhisgreatcoat.Asheglanceddownthe

advertisementcolumn,withhisheadthrustforwardandthepaperflattenedoutuponhisknee,Itookagoodlookatthemanandendeavoured,afterthefashionofmycompanion,toreadtheindicationswhichmightbepresentedbyhisdressorappearance.

Ididnotgainverymuch,however,bymyinspection.OurvisitorboreeverymarkofbeinganaveragecommonplaceBritishtradesman,obese,pompous,andslow.Heworeratherbaggygreyshepherd'schecktrousers,anotover-cleanblackfrock-coat,unbuttonedinthefront,andadrabwaistcoatwithaheavybrassyAlbertchain,andasquarepiercedbitofmetaldanglingdownasanornament.Afrayedtop-hatandafadedbrownovercoatwithawrinkledvelvetcollarlayuponachairbesidehim.Altogether,

lookasIwould,therewasnothingremarkableaboutthemansavehisblazingredhead,andtheexpressionofextremechagrinanddiscontentuponhisfeatures.

SherlockHolmes'quickeyetookinmyoccupation,andheshookhisheadwithasmileashenoticedmyquestioningglances."Beyondtheobviousfactsthathehasatsometimedonemanuallabour,thathetakessnuff,thatheisaFreemason,thathehasbeeninChina,andthathehasdoneaconsiderableamountofwritinglately,Icandeducenothingelse."

Mr.JabezWilsonstartedupinhischair,withhisforefingeruponthepaper,buthiseyesuponmycompanion.

"How,inthenameofgood-fortune,didyouknowallthat,Mr.Holmes?"heasked."Howdidyouknow,forexample,thatIdidmanuallabour.It'sastrueasgospel,forIbeganasaship'scarpenter."

"Yourhands,mydearsir.Yourrighthandisquiteasizelargerthanyourleft.Youhaveworkedwithit,andthemusclesaremoredeveloped."


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"Well,thesnuff,then,andtheFreemasonry?"

"Iwon'tinsultyourintelligencebytellingyouhowIreadthat,especiallyas,ratheragainstthestrictrulesofyourorder,youuseanarc-and-compassbreastpin."

"Ah,ofcourse,Iforgotthat.Butthewriting?"

"Whatelsecanbeindicatedbythatrightcuffsoveryshinyforfiveinches,andtheleftonewiththesmoothpatchneartheelbowwhereyourestituponthedesk?"

"Well,butChina?"

"ThefishthatyouhavetattooedimmediatelyaboveyourrightwristcouldonlyhavebeendoneinChina.Ihavemadeasmallstudyoftattoomarksandhaveevencontributedtotheliteratureofthesubject.Thattrickofstainingthefishes'scalesofadelicatepinkisquitepeculiartoChina.When,inaddition,IseeaChinesecoinhangingfromyourwatch-chain,thematterbecomesevenmoresimple."

Mr.JabezWilsonlaughedheavily."Well,Inever!"saidhe."Ithoughtatfirstthatyouhaddonesomethingclever,butIsee

thattherewasnothinginit,afterall."

"Ibegintothink,Watson,"saidHolmes,"thatImakeamistakeinexplaining.'Omneignotumpromagnifico,'youknow,andmypoorlittlereputation,suchasitis,willsuffershipwreckifIamsocandid.Canyounotfindtheadvertisement,Mr.Wilson?"

"Yes,Ihavegotitnow,"heansweredwithhisthickredfingerplantedhalfwaydownthecolumn."Hereitis.Thisiswhatbeganitall.Youjustreaditforyourself,sir."

Itookthepaperfromhimandreadasfollows:

"TOTHERED-HEADEDLEAGUE:OnaccountofthebequestofthelateEzekiahHopkins,ofLebanon,Pennsylvania,U.S.A.,thereisnowanothervacancyopenwhichentitlesamemberoftheLeaguetoasalaryof4poundsaweekforpurelynominalservices.Allred-headedmenwhoaresoundinbodyandmindandabovetheageoftwenty-oneyears,areeligible.ApplyinpersononMonday,ateleveno'clock,toDuncanRoss,attheofficesoftheLeague,7Pope'sCourt,FleetStreet."

"Whatonearthdoesthismean?"IejaculatedafterIhadtwicereadovertheextraordinaryannouncement.

Holmeschuckledandwriggledinhischair,aswashishabitwhen

inhighspirits."Itisalittleoffthebeatentrack,isn'tit?"saidhe."Andnow,Mr.Wilson,offyougoatscratchandtellusallaboutyourself,yourhousehold,andtheeffectwhichthisadvertisementhaduponyourfortunes.Youwillfirstmakeanote,Doctor,ofthepaperandthedate."

"ItisTheMorningChronicleofApril27,1890.Justtwomonthsago."

"Verygood.Now,Mr.Wilson?"


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"Well,itisjustasIhavebeentellingyou,Mr.SherlockHolmes,"saidJabezWilson,moppinghisforehead;"Ihaveasmallpawnbroker'sbusinessatCoburgSquare,neartheCity.It'snotaverylargeaffair,andoflateyearsithasnotdonemorethanjustgivemealiving.Iusedtobeabletokeeptwoassistants,butnowIonlykeepone;andIwouldhaveajobtopayhimbutthatheiswillingtocomeforhalfwagessoastolearnthebusiness."

"Whatisthenameofthisobligingyouth?"askedSherlockHolmes.

"HisnameisVincentSpaulding,andhe'snotsuchayouth,either.It'shardtosayhisage.Ishouldnotwishasmarterassistant,Mr.Holmes;andIknowverywellthathecouldbetterhimselfandearntwicewhatIamabletogivehim.But,afterall,ifheissatisfied,whyshouldIputideasinhishead?"

"Why,indeed?Youseemmostfortunateinhavinganemploywhocomesunderthefullmarketprice.Itisnotacommonexperienceamongemployersinthisage.Idon'tknowthatyourassistantisnotasremarkableasyouradvertisement."

"Oh,hehashisfaults,too,"saidMr.Wilson."Neverwassucha

fellowforphotography.Snappingawaywithacamerawhenheoughttobeimprovinghismind,andthendivingdownintothecellarlikearabbitintoitsholetodevelophispictures.Thatishismainfault,butonthewholehe'sagoodworker.There'snoviceinhim."

"Heisstillwithyou,Ipresume?"

"Yes,sir.Heandagirloffourteen,whodoesabitofsimplecookingandkeepstheplaceclean--that'sallIhaveinthehouse,forIamawidowerandneverhadanyfamily.Weliveveryquietly,sir,thethreeofus;andwekeeparoofoverourheadsandpayourdebts,ifwedonothingmore.

"Thefirstthingthatputusoutwasthatadvertisement.Spaulding,hecamedownintotheofficejustthisdayeightweeks,withthisverypaperinhishand,andhesays:

"'IwishtotheLord,Mr.Wilson,thatIwasared-headedman.'

"'Whythat?'Iasks.

"'Why,'sayshe,'here'sanothervacancyontheLeagueoftheRed-headedMen.It'sworthquitealittlefortunetoanymanwhogetsit,andIunderstandthattherearemorevacanciesthantherearemen,sothatthetrusteesareattheirwits'endwhat

todowiththemoney.Ifmyhairwouldonlychangecolour,here'sanicelittlecriballreadyformetostepinto.'

"'Why,whatisit,then?'Iasked.Yousee,Mr.Holmes,Iamaverystay-at-homeman,andasmybusinesscametomeinsteadofmyhavingtogotoit,Iwasoftenweeksonendwithoutputtingmyfootoverthedoor-mat.InthatwayIdidn'tknowmuchofwhatwasgoingonoutside,andIwasalwaysgladofabitofnews.

"'HaveyouneverheardoftheLeagueoftheRed-headedMen?'he


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askedwithhiseyesopen.

"'Never.'

"'Why,Iwonderatthat,foryouareeligibleyourselfforoneofthevacancies.'

"'Andwhataretheyworth?'Iasked.

"'Oh,merelyacoupleofhundredayear,buttheworkisslight,anditneednotinterfereverymuchwithone'sotheroccupations.'

"Well,youcaneasilythinkthatthatmademeprickupmyears,forthebusinesshasnotbeenover-goodforsomeyears,andanextracoupleofhundredwouldhavebeenveryhandy.

"'Tellmeallaboutit,'saidI.

"'Well,'saidhe,showingmetheadvertisement,'youcanseeforyourselfthattheLeaguehasavacancy,andthereistheaddresswhereyoushouldapplyforparticulars.AsfarasIcanmakeout,theLeaguewasfoundedbyanAmericanmillionaire,EzekiahHopkins,whowasverypeculiarinhisways.Hewashimself

red-headed,andhehadagreatsympathyforallred-headedmen;sowhenhedieditwasfoundthathehadlefthisenormousfortuneinthehandsoftrustees,withinstructionstoapplytheinteresttotheprovidingofeasyberthstomenwhosehairisofthatcolour.FromallIhearitissplendidpayandverylittletodo.'

"'But,'saidI,'therewouldbemillionsofred-headedmenwhowouldapply.'

"'Notsomanyasyoumightthink,'heanswered.'YouseeitisreallyconfinedtoLondoners,andtogrownmen.ThisAmericanhadstartedfromLondonwhenhewasyoung,andhewantedtodothe

oldtownagoodturn.Then,again,Ihavehearditisnouseyourapplyingifyourhairislightred,ordarkred,oranythingbutrealbright,blazing,fieryred.Now,ifyoucaredtoapply,Mr.Wilson,youwouldjustwalkin;butperhapsitwouldhardlybeworthyourwhiletoputyourselfoutofthewayforthesakeofafewhundredpounds.'

"Now,itisafact,gentlemen,asyoumayseeforyourselves,thatmyhairisofaveryfullandrichtint,sothatitseemedtomethatiftherewastobeanycompetitioninthematterIstoodasgoodachanceasanymanthatIhadevermet.VincentSpauldingseemedtoknowsomuchaboutitthatIthoughthemightproveuseful,soIjustorderedhimtoputuptheshuttersfor

thedayandtocomerightawaywithme.Hewasverywillingtohaveaholiday,soweshutthebusinessupandstartedofffortheaddressthatwasgivenusintheadvertisement.

"Ineverhopetoseesuchasightasthatagain,Mr.Holmes.Fromnorth,south,east,andwesteverymanwhohadashadeofredinhishairhadtrampedintothecitytoanswertheadvertisement.FleetStreetwaschokedwithred-headedfolk,andPope'sCourtlookedlikeacoster'sorangebarrow.Ishouldnothavethoughtthereweresomanyinthewholecountryaswerebroughttogether


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bythatsingleadvertisement.Everyshadeofcolourtheywere--straw,lemon,orange,brick,Irish-setter,liver,clay;but,asSpauldingsaid,therewerenotmanywhohadtherealvividflame-colouredtint.WhenIsawhowmanywerewaiting,Iwouldhavegivenitupindespair;butSpauldingwouldnothearofit.HowhediditIcouldnotimagine,buthepushedandpulledandbutteduntilhegotmethroughthecrowd,andrightuptothestepswhichledtotheoffice.Therewasadoublestreamuponthestair,somegoingupinhope,andsomecomingbackdejected;butwewedgedinaswellaswecouldandsoonfoundourselvesintheoffice."

"Yourexperiencehasbeenamostentertainingone,"remarkedHolmesashisclientpausedandrefreshedhismemorywithahugepinchofsnuff."Praycontinueyourveryinterestingstatement."

"Therewasnothingintheofficebutacoupleofwoodenchairsandadealtable,behindwhichsatasmallmanwithaheadthatwasevenredderthanmine.Hesaidafewwordstoeachcandidateashecameup,andthenhealwaysmanagedtofindsomefaultinthemwhichwoulddisqualifythem.Gettingavacancydidnotseemtobesuchaveryeasymatter,afterall.However,whenourturncamethelittlemanwasmuchmorefavourabletomethantoanyoftheothers,andheclosedthedoorasweentered,sothathe

mighthaveaprivatewordwithus.

"'ThisisMr.JabezWilson,'saidmyassistant,'andheiswillingtofillavacancyintheLeague.'

"'Andheisadmirablysuitedforit,'theotheranswered.'Hehaseveryrequirement.IcannotrecallwhenIhaveseenanythingsofine.'Hetookastepbackward,cockedhisheadononeside,andgazedatmyhairuntilIfeltquitebashful.Thensuddenlyheplungedforward,wrungmyhand,andcongratulatedmewarmlyonmysuccess.

"'Itwouldbeinjusticetohesitate,'saidhe.'Youwill,

however,Iamsure,excusemefortakinganobviousprecaution.'Withthatheseizedmyhairinbothhishands,andtuggeduntilIyelledwiththepain.'Thereiswaterinyoureyes,'saidheashereleasedme.'Iperceivethatallisasitshouldbe.Butwehavetobecareful,forwehavetwicebeendeceivedbywigsandoncebypaint.Icouldtellyoutalesofcobbler'swaxwhichwoulddisgustyouwithhumannature.'Hesteppedovertothewindowandshoutedthroughitatthetopofhisvoicethatthevacancywasfilled.Agroanofdisappointmentcameupfrombelow,andthefolkalltroopedawayindifferentdirectionsuntiltherewasnotared-headtobeseenexceptmyownandthatofthemanager.

"'Myname,'saidhe,'isMr.DuncanRoss,andIammyselfoneofthepensionersuponthefundleftbyournoblebenefactor.Areyouamarriedman,Mr.Wilson?Haveyouafamily?'

"IansweredthatIhadnot.

"Hisfacefellimmediately.

"'Dearme!'hesaidgravely,'thatisveryseriousindeed!Iamsorrytohearyousaythat.Thefundwas,ofcourse,forthe


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propagationandspreadofthered-headsaswellasfortheirmaintenance.Itisexceedinglyunfortunatethatyoushouldbeabachelor.'

"Myfacelengthenedatthis,Mr.Holmes,forIthoughtthatIwasnottohavethevacancyafterall;butafterthinkingitoverforafewminuteshesaidthatitwouldbeallright.

"'Inthecaseofanother,'saidhe,'theobjectionmightbefatal,butwemuststretchapointinfavourofamanwithsuchaheadofhairasyours.Whenshallyoubeabletoenteruponyournewduties?'

"'Well,itisalittleawkward,forIhaveabusinessalready,'saidI.

"'Oh,nevermindaboutthat,Mr.Wilson!'saidVincentSpaulding.'Ishouldbeabletolookafterthatforyou.'

"'Whatwouldbethehours?'Iasked.

"'Tentotwo.'

"Nowapawnbroker'sbusinessismostlydoneofanevening,Mr.

Holmes,especiallyThursdayandFridayevening,whichisjustbeforepay-day;soitwouldsuitmeverywelltoearnalittleinthemornings.Besides,Iknewthatmyassistantwasagoodman,andthathewouldseetoanythingthatturnedup.

"'Thatwouldsuitmeverywell,'saidI.'Andthepay?'

"'Is4poundsaweek.'

"'Andthework?'

"'Ispurelynominal.'

"'Whatdoyoucallpurelynominal?'

"'Well,youhavetobeintheoffice,oratleastinthebuilding,thewholetime.Ifyouleave,youforfeityourwholepositionforever.Thewillisveryclearuponthatpoint.Youdon'tcomplywiththeconditionsifyoubudgefromtheofficeduringthattime.'

"'It'sonlyfourhoursaday,andIshouldnotthinkofleaving,'saidI.

"'Noexcusewillavail,'saidMr.DuncanRoss;'neithersicknessnorbusinessnoranythingelse.Thereyoumuststay,oryoulose

yourbillet.'

"'Andthework?'

"'Istocopyoutthe"EncyclopaediaBritannica."Thereisthefirstvolumeofitinthatpress.Youmustfindyourownink,pens,andblotting-paper,butweprovidethistableandchair.Willyoubereadyto-morrow?'

"'Certainly,'Ianswered.


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"'Then,good-bye,Mr.JabezWilson,andletmecongratulateyouoncemoreontheimportantpositionwhichyouhavebeenfortunateenoughtogain.'HebowedmeoutoftheroomandIwenthomewithmyassistant,hardlyknowingwhattosayordo,Iwassopleasedatmyowngoodfortune.

"Well,Ithoughtoverthematterallday,andbyeveningIwasinlowspiritsagain;forIhadquitepersuadedmyselfthatthewholeaffairmustbesomegreathoaxorfraud,thoughwhatitsobjectmightbeIcouldnotimagine.Itseemedaltogetherpastbeliefthatanyonecouldmakesuchawill,orthattheywouldpaysuchasumfordoinganythingsosimpleascopyingoutthe'EncyclopaediaBritannica.'VincentSpauldingdidwhathecouldtocheermeup,butbybedtimeIhadreasonedmyselfoutofthewholething.However,inthemorningIdeterminedtohavealookatitanyhow,soIboughtapennybottleofink,andwithaquill-pen,andsevensheetsoffoolscappaper,IstartedoffforPope'sCourt.

"Well,tomysurpriseanddelight,everythingwasasrightaspossible.Thetablewassetoutreadyforme,andMr.DuncanRosswastheretoseethatIgotfairlytowork.HestartedmeoffupontheletterA,andthenheleftme;buthewoulddropinfrom

timetotimetoseethatallwasrightwithme.Attwoo'clockhebademegood-day,complimentedmeupontheamountthatIhadwritten,andlockedthedooroftheofficeafterme.

"Thiswentondayafterday,Mr.Holmes,andonSaturdaythemanagercameinandplankeddownfourgoldensovereignsformyweek'swork.Itwasthesamenextweek,andthesametheweekafter.EverymorningIwasthereatten,andeveryafternoonIleftattwo.BydegreesMr.DuncanRosstooktocominginonlyonceofamorning,andthen,afteratime,hedidnotcomeinatall.Still,ofcourse,Ineverdaredtoleavetheroomforaninstant,forIwasnotsurewhenhemightcome,andthebilletwassuchagoodone,andsuitedmesowell,thatIwouldnotrisk

thelossofit.

"Eightweekspassedawaylikethis,andIhadwrittenaboutAbbotsandArcheryandArmourandArchitectureandAttica,andhopedwithdiligencethatImightgetontotheB'sbeforeverylong.Itcostmesomethinginfoolscap,andIhadprettynearlyfilledashelfwithmywritings.Andthensuddenlythewholebusinesscametoanend."

"Toanend?"

"Yes,sir.Andnolaterthanthismorning.Iwenttomyworkasusualatteno'clock,butthedoorwasshutandlocked,witha

littlesquareofcardboardhammeredontothemiddleofthepanelwithatack.Hereitis,andyoucanreadforyourself."

Heheldupapieceofwhitecardboardaboutthesizeofasheetofnote-paper.Itreadinthisfashion:

THERED-HEADEDLEAGUE

IS


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DISSOLVED.

October9,1890.

SherlockHolmesandIsurveyedthiscurtannouncementandtheruefulfacebehindit,untilthecomicalsideoftheaffairsocompletelyovertoppedeveryotherconsiderationthatwebothburstoutintoaroaroflaughter.

"Icannotseethatthereisanythingveryfunny,"criedourclient,flushinguptotherootsofhisflaminghead."Ifyoucandonothingbetterthanlaughatme,Icangoelsewhere."

"No,no,"criedHolmes,shovinghimbackintothechairfromwhichhehadhalfrisen."Ireallywouldn'tmissyourcasefortheworld.Itismostrefreshinglyunusual.Butthereis,ifyouwillexcusemysayingso,somethingjustalittlefunnyaboutit.Praywhatstepsdidyoutakewhenyoufoundthecarduponthedoor?"

"Iwasstaggered,sir.Ididnotknowwhattodo.ThenIcalledattheofficesround,butnoneofthemseemedtoknowanythingaboutit.Finally,Iwenttothelandlord,whoisanaccountantlivingontheground-floor,andIaskedhimifhecouldtellme

whathadbecomeoftheRed-headedLeague.Hesaidthathehadneverheardofanysuchbody.ThenIaskedhimwhoMr.DuncanRosswas.Heansweredthatthenamewasnewtohim.

"'Well,'saidI,'thegentlemanatNo.4.'

"'What,thered-headedman?'

"'Yes.'

"'Oh,'saidhe,'hisnamewasWilliamMorris.Hewasasolicitorandwasusingmyroomasatemporaryconvenienceuntilhisnewpremiseswereready.Hemovedoutyesterday.'

"'WherecouldIfindhim?'

"'Oh,athisnewoffices.Hedidtellmetheaddress.Yes,17KingEdwardStreet,nearSt.Paul's.'

"Istartedoff,Mr.Holmes,butwhenIgottothataddressitwasamanufactoryofartificialknee-caps,andnooneinithadeverheardofeitherMr.WilliamMorrisorMr.DuncanRoss."

"Andwhatdidyoudothen?"askedHolmes.

"IwenthometoSaxe-CoburgSquare,andItooktheadviceofmy

assistant.Buthecouldnothelpmeinanyway.HecouldonlysaythatifIwaitedIshouldhearbypost.Butthatwasnotquitegoodenough,Mr.Holmes.Ididnotwishtolosesuchaplacewithoutastruggle,so,asIhadheardthatyouweregoodenoughtogiveadvicetopoorfolkwhowereinneedofit,Icamerightawaytoyou."

"Andyoudidverywisely,"saidHolmes."Yourcaseisanexceedinglyremarkableone,andIshallbehappytolookintoit.FromwhatyouhavetoldmeIthinkthatitispossiblethat


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graverissueshangfromitthanmightatfirstsightappear."

"Graveenough!"saidMr.JabezWilson."Why,Ihavelostfourpoundaweek."

"Asfarasyouarepersonallyconcerned,"remarkedHolmes,"Idonotseethatyouhaveanygrievanceagainstthisextraordinaryleague.Onthecontrary,youare,asIunderstand,richerbysome30pounds,tosaynothingoftheminuteknowledgewhichyouhavegainedoneverysubjectwhichcomesundertheletterA.Youhavelostnothingbythem."

"No,sir.ButIwanttofindoutaboutthem,andwhotheyare,andwhattheirobjectwasinplayingthisprank--ifitwasaprank--uponme.Itwasaprettyexpensivejokeforthem,foritcostthemtwoandthirtypounds."

"Weshallendeavourtoclearupthesepointsforyou.And,first,oneortwoquestions,Mr.Wilson.Thisassistantofyourswhofirstcalledyourattentiontotheadvertisement--howlonghadhebeenwithyou?"

"Aboutamonththen."

"Howdidhecome?"

"Inanswertoanadvertisement."

"Washetheonlyapplicant?"

"No,Ihadadozen."

"Whydidyoupickhim?"

"Becausehewashandyandwouldcomecheap."

"Athalf-wages,infact."

"Yes."

"Whatishelike,thisVincentSpaulding?"

"Small,stout-built,veryquickinhisways,nohaironhisface,thoughhe'snotshortofthirty.Hasawhitesplashofaciduponhisforehead."

Holmessatupinhischairinconsiderableexcitement."Ithoughtasmuch,"saidhe."Haveyoueverobservedthathisearsarepiercedforearrings?"

"Yes,sir.Hetoldmethatagipsyhaddoneitforhimwhenhewasalad."

"Hum!"saidHolmes,sinkingbackindeepthought."Heisstillwithyou?"

"Oh,yes,sir;Ihaveonlyjustlefthim."

"Andhasyourbusinessbeenattendedtoinyourabsence?"


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"Nothingtocomplainof,sir.There'sneververymuchtodoofamorning."

"Thatwilldo,Mr.Wilson.Ishallbehappytogiveyouanopinionuponthesubjectinthecourseofadayortwo.To-dayisSaturday,andIhopethatbyMondaywemaycometoaconclusion."

"Well,Watson,"saidHolmeswhenourvisitorhadleftus,"whatdoyoumakeofitall?"

"Imakenothingofit,"Iansweredfrankly."Itisamostmysteriousbusiness."

"Asarule,"saidHolmes,"themorebizarreathingisthelessmysteriousitprovestobe.Itisyourcommonplace,featurelesscrimeswhicharereallypuzzling,justasacommonplacefaceisthemostdifficulttoidentify.ButImustbepromptoverthismatter."

"Whatareyougoingtodo,then?"Iasked.

"Tosmoke,"heanswered."Itisquiteathreepipeproblem,andIbegthatyouwon'tspeaktomeforfiftyminutes."Hecurledhimselfupinhischair,withhisthinkneesdrawnuptohis

hawk-likenose,andtherehesatwithhiseyesclosedandhisblackclaypipethrustingoutlikethebillofsomestrangebird.Ihadcometotheconclusionthathehaddroppedasleep,andindeedwasnoddingmyself,whenhesuddenlysprangoutofhischairwiththegestureofamanwhohasmadeuphismindandputhispipedownuponthemantelpiece.

"SarasateplaysattheSt.James'sHallthisafternoon,"heremarked."Whatdoyouthink,Watson?Couldyourpatientsspareyouforafewhours?"

"Ihavenothingtodoto-day.Mypracticeisneververyabsorbing."

"Thenputonyourhatandcome.IamgoingthroughtheCityfirst,andwecanhavesomelunchontheway.IobservethatthereisagooddealofGermanmusicontheprogramme,whichisrathermoretomytastethanItalianorFrench.Itisintrospective,andIwanttointrospect.Comealong!"

WetravelledbytheUndergroundasfarasAldersgate;andashortwalktookustoSaxe-CoburgSquare,thesceneofthesingularstorywhichwehadlistenedtointhemorning.Itwasapoky,little,shabby-genteelplace,wherefourlinesofdingytwo-storiedbrickhouseslookedoutintoasmallrailed-inenclosure,wherealawnofweedygrassandafewclumpsoffaded

laurel-bushesmadeahardfightagainstasmoke-ladenanduncongenialatmosphere.Threegiltballsandabrownboardwith"JABEZWILSON"inwhiteletters,uponacornerhouse,announcedtheplacewhereourred-headedclientcarriedonhisbusiness.SherlockHolmesstoppedinfrontofitwithhisheadononesideandlookeditallover,withhiseyesshiningbrightlybetweenpuckeredlids.Thenhewalkedslowlyupthestreet,andthendownagaintothecorner,stilllookingkeenlyatthehouses.Finallyhereturnedtothepawnbroker's,and,havingthumpedvigorouslyuponthepavementwithhissticktwoorthreetimes,hewentup


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tothedoorandknocked.Itwasinstantlyopenedbyabright-looking,clean-shavenyoungfellow,whoaskedhimtostepin.

"Thankyou,"saidHolmes,"IonlywishedtoaskyouhowyouwouldgofromheretotheStrand."

"Thirdright,fourthleft,"answeredtheassistantpromptly,closingthedoor.

"Smartfellow,that,"observedHolmesaswewalkedaway."Heis,inmyjudgment,thefourthsmartestmaninLondon,andfordaringIamnotsurethathehasnotaclaimtobethird.Ihaveknownsomethingofhimbefore."

"Evidently,"saidI,"Mr.Wilson'sassistantcountsforagooddealinthismysteryoftheRed-headedLeague.Iamsurethatyouinquiredyourwaymerelyinorderthatyoumightseehim."

"Nothim."

"Whatthen?"

"Thekneesofhistrousers."

"Andwhatdidyousee?"

"WhatIexpectedtosee."

"Whydidyoubeatthepavement?"

"Mydeardoctor,thisisatimeforobservation,notfortalk.Wearespiesinanenemy'scountry.WeknowsomethingofSaxe-CoburgSquare.Letusnowexplorethepartswhichliebehindit."

TheroadinwhichwefoundourselvesasweturnedroundthecornerfromtheretiredSaxe-CoburgSquarepresentedasgreata

contrasttoitasthefrontofapicturedoestotheback.ItwasoneofthemainarterieswhichconveyedthetrafficoftheCitytothenorthandwest.Theroadwaywasblockedwiththeimmensestreamofcommerceflowinginadoubletideinwardandoutward,whilethefootpathswereblackwiththehurryingswarmofpedestrians.Itwasdifficulttorealiseaswelookedatthelineoffineshopsandstatelybusinesspremisesthattheyreallyabuttedontheothersideuponthefadedandstagnantsquarewhichwehadjustquitted.

"Letmesee,"saidHolmes,standingatthecornerandglancingalongtheline,"Ishouldlikejusttoremembertheorderofthehouseshere.Itisahobbyofminetohaveanexactknowledgeof

London.ThereisMortimer's,thetobacconist,thelittlenewspapershop,theCoburgbranchoftheCityandSuburbanBank,theVegetarianRestaurant,andMcFarlane'scarriage-buildingdepot.Thatcarriesusrightontotheotherblock.Andnow,Doctor,we'vedoneourwork,soit'stimewehadsomeplay.Asandwichandacupofcoffee,andthenofftoviolin-land,whereallissweetnessanddelicacyandharmony,andtherearenored-headedclientstovexuswiththeirconundrums."

Myfriendwasanenthusiasticmusician,beinghimselfnotonlya


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verycapableperformerbutacomposerofnoordinarymerit.Alltheafternoonhesatinthestallswrappedinthemostperfecthappiness,gentlywavinghislong,thinfingersintimetothemusic,whilehisgentlysmilingfaceandhislanguid,dreamyeyeswereasunlikethoseofHolmesthesleuth-hound,Holmestherelentless,keen-witted,ready-handedcriminalagent,asitwaspossibletoconceive.Inhissingularcharacterthedualnaturealternatelyasserteditself,andhisextremeexactnessandastutenessrepresented,asIhaveoftenthought,thereactionagainstthepoeticandcontemplativemoodwhichoccasionallypredominatedinhim.Theswingofhisnaturetookhimfromextremelanguortodevouringenergy;and,asIknewwell,hewasneversotrulyformidableaswhen,fordaysonend,hehadbeenlounginginhisarmchairamidhisimprovisationsandhisblack-lettereditions.Thenitwasthatthelustofthechasewouldsuddenlycomeuponhim,andthathisbrilliantreasoningpowerwouldrisetothelevelofintuition,untilthosewhowereunacquaintedwithhismethodswouldlookaskanceathimasonamanwhoseknowledgewasnotthatofothermortals.WhenIsawhimthatafternoonsoenwrappedinthemusicatSt.James'sHallIfeltthataneviltimemightbecominguponthosewhomhehadsethimselftohuntdown.

"Youwanttogohome,nodoubt,Doctor,"heremarkedaswe

emerged.

"Yes,itwouldbeaswell."

"AndIhavesomebusinesstodowhichwilltakesomehours.ThisbusinessatCoburgSquareisserious."

"Whyserious?"

"Aconsiderablecrimeisincontemplation.Ihaveeveryreasontobelievethatweshallbeintimetostopit.Butto-daybeingSaturdayrathercomplicatesmatters.Ishallwantyourhelpto-night."

"Atwhattime?"

"Tenwillbeearlyenough."

"IshallbeatBakerStreetatten."

"Verywell.And,Isay,Doctor,theremaybesomelittledanger,sokindlyputyourarmyrevolverinyourpocket."Hewavedhishand,turnedonhisheel,anddisappearedinaninstantamongthecrowd.

ItrustthatIamnotmoredensethanmyneighbours,butIwas

alwaysoppressedwithasenseofmyownstupidityinmydealingswithSherlockHolmes.HereIhadheardwhathehadheard,Ihadseenwhathehadseen,andyetfromhiswordsitwasevidentthathesawclearlynotonlywhathadhappenedbutwhatwasabouttohappen,whiletomethewholebusinesswasstillconfusedandgrotesque.AsIdrovehometomyhouseinKensingtonIthoughtoveritall,fromtheextraordinarystoryofthered-headedcopierofthe"Encyclopaedia"downtothevisittoSaxe-CoburgSquare,andtheominouswordswithwhichhehadpartedfromme.Whatwasthisnocturnalexpedition,andwhyshouldIgoarmed?


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Wherewerewegoing,andwhatwerewetodo?IhadthehintfromHolmesthatthissmooth-facedpawnbroker'sassistantwasaformidableman--amanwhomightplayadeepgame.Itriedtopuzzleitout,butgaveitupindespairandsetthematterasideuntilnightshouldbringanexplanation.

Itwasaquarter-pastninewhenIstartedfromhomeandmademywayacrossthePark,andsothroughOxfordStreettoBakerStreet.Twohansomswerestandingatthedoor,andasIenteredthepassageIheardthesoundofvoicesfromabove.OnenteringhisroomIfoundHolmesinanimatedconversationwithtwomen,oneofwhomIrecognisedasPeterJones,theofficialpoliceagent,whiletheotherwasalong,thin,sad-facedman,withaveryshinyhatandoppressivelyrespectablefrock-coat.

"Ha!Ourpartyiscomplete,"saidHolmes,buttoninguphispea-jacketandtakinghisheavyhuntingcropfromtherack."Watson,IthinkyouknowMr.Jones,ofScotlandYard?LetmeintroduceyoutoMr.Merryweather,whoistobeourcompanioninto-night'sadventure."

"We'rehuntingincouplesagain,Doctor,yousee,"saidJonesinhisconsequentialway."Ourfriendhereisawonderfulmanforstartingachase.Allhewantsisanolddogtohelphimtodo

therunningdown."

"Ihopeawildgoosemaynotprovetobetheendofourchase,"observedMr.Merryweathergloomily.

"YoumayplaceconsiderableconfidenceinMr.Holmes,sir,"saidthepoliceagentloftily."Hehashisownlittlemethods,whichare,ifhewon'tmindmysayingso,justalittletootheoreticalandfantastic,buthehasthemakingsofadetectiveinhim.Itisnottoomuchtosaythatonceortwice,asinthatbusinessoftheSholtomurderandtheAgratreasure,hehasbeenmorenearlycorrectthantheofficialforce."

"Oh,ifyousayso,Mr.Jones,itisallright,"saidthestrangerwithdeference."Still,IconfessthatImissmyrubber.ItisthefirstSaturdaynightforseven-and-twentyyearsthatIhavenothadmyrubber."

"Ithinkyouwillfind,"saidSherlockHolmes,"thatyouwillplayforahigherstaketo-nightthanyouhaveeverdoneyet,andthattheplaywillbemoreexciting.Foryou,Mr.Merryweather,thestakewillbesome30,000pounds;andforyou,Jones,itwillbethemanuponwhomyouwishtolayyourhands."

"JohnClay,themurderer,thief,smasher,andforger.He'sayoungman,Mr.Merryweather,butheisattheheadofhis

profession,andIwouldratherhavemybraceletsonhimthanonanycriminalinLondon.He'saremarkableman,isyoungJohnClay.Hisgrandfatherwasaroyalduke,andhehimselfhasbeentoEtonandOxford.Hisbrainisascunningashisfingers,andthoughwemeetsignsofhimateveryturn,weneverknowwheretofindthemanhimself.He'llcrackacribinScotlandoneweek,andberaisingmoneytobuildanorphanageinCornwallthenext.I'vebeenonhistrackforyearsandhaveneverseteyesonhimyet."


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"IhopethatImayhavethepleasureofintroducingyouto-night.I'vehadoneortwolittleturnsalsowithMr.JohnClay,andIagreewithyouthatheisattheheadofhisprofession.Itispastten,however,andquitetimethatwestarted.Ifyoutwowilltakethefirsthansom,WatsonandIwillfollowinthesecond."

SherlockHolmeswasnotverycommunicativeduringthelongdriveandlaybackinthecabhummingthetuneswhichhehadheardintheafternoon.Werattledthroughanendlesslabyrinthofgas-litstreetsuntilweemergedintoFarringtonStreet.

"Weareclosetherenow,"myfriendremarked."ThisfellowMerryweatherisabankdirector,andpersonallyinterestedinthematter.IthoughtitaswelltohaveJoneswithusalso.Heisnotabadfellow,thoughanabsoluteimbecileinhisprofession.Hehasonepositivevirtue.Heisasbraveasabulldogandastenaciousasalobsterifhegetshisclawsuponanyone.Hereweare,andtheyarewaitingforus."

Wehadreachedthesamecrowdedthoroughfareinwhichwehadfoundourselvesinthemorning.Ourcabsweredismissed,and,followingtheguidanceofMr.Merryweather,wepasseddownanarrowpassageandthroughasidedoor,whichheopenedforus.

Withintherewasasmallcorridor,whichendedinaverymassiveirongate.Thisalsowasopened,andleddownaflightofwindingstonesteps,whichterminatedatanotherformidablegate.Mr.Merryweatherstoppedtolightalantern,andthenconductedusdownadark,earth-smellingpassage,andso,afteropeningathirddoor,intoahugevaultorcellar,whichwaspiledallroundwithcratesandmassiveboxes.

"Youarenotveryvulnerablefromabove,"Holmesremarkedasheheldupthelanternandgazedabouthim.

"Norfrombelow,"saidMr.Merryweather,strikinghisstickupontheflagswhichlinedthefloor."Why,dearme,itsoundsquite

hollow!"heremarked,lookingupinsurprise.

"Imustreallyaskyoutobealittlemorequiet!"saidHolmesseverely."Youhavealreadyimperilledthewholesuccessofourexpedition.MightIbegthatyouwouldhavethegoodnesstositdownupononeofthoseboxes,andnottointerfere?"

ThesolemnMr.Merryweatherperchedhimselfuponacrate,withaveryinjuredexpressionuponhisface,whileHolmesfelluponhiskneesuponthefloorand,withthelanternandamagnifyinglens,begantoexamineminutelythecracksbetweenthestones.Afewsecondssufficedtosatisfyhim,forhesprangtohisfeetagainandputhisglassinhispocket.

"Wehaveatleastanhourbeforeus,"heremarked,"fortheycanhardlytakeanystepsuntilthegoodpawnbrokerissafelyinbed.Thentheywillnotloseaminute,forthesoonertheydotheirworkthelongertimetheywillhavefortheirescape.Weareatpresent,Doctor--asnodoubtyouhavedivined--inthecellaroftheCitybranchofoneoftheprincipalLondonbanks.Mr.Merryweatheristhechairmanofdirectors,andhewillexplaintoyouthattherearereasonswhythemoredaringcriminalsofLondonshouldtakeaconsiderableinterestinthiscellarat


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present."

"ItisourFrenchgold,"whisperedthedirector."Wehavehadseveralwarningsthatanattemptmightbemadeuponit."

"YourFrenchgold?"

"Yes.Wehadoccasionsomemonthsagotostrengthenourresourcesandborrowedforthatpurpose30,000napoleonsfromtheBankofFrance.Ithasbecomeknownthatwehaveneverhadoccasiontounpackthemoney,andthatitisstilllyinginourcellar.ThecrateuponwhichIsitcontains2,000napoleonspackedbetweenlayersofleadfoil.Ourreserveofbullionismuchlargeratpresentthanisusuallykeptinasinglebranchoffice,andthedirectorshavehadmisgivingsuponthesubject."

"Whichwereverywelljustified,"observedHolmes."Andnowitistimethatwearrangedourlittleplans.Iexpectthatwithinanhourmatterswillcometoahead.InthemeantimeMr.Merryweather,wemustputthescreenoverthatdarklantern."

"Andsitinthedark?"

"Iamafraidso.Ihadbroughtapackofcardsinmypocket,and

Ithoughtthat,aswewereapartiecarre,youmighthaveyourrubberafterall.ButIseethattheenemy'spreparationshavegonesofarthatwecannotriskthepresenceofalight.And,firstofall,wemustchooseourpositions.Thesearedaringmen,andthoughweshalltakethematadisadvantage,theymaydoussomeharmunlesswearecareful.Ishallstandbehindthiscrate,anddoyouconcealyourselvesbehindthose.Then,whenIflashalightuponthem,closeinswiftly.Iftheyfire,Watson,havenocompunctionaboutshootingthemdown."

Iplacedmyrevolver,cocked,uponthetopofthewoodencasebehindwhichIcrouched.Holmesshottheslideacrossthefrontofhislanternandleftusinpitchdarkness--suchanabsolute

darknessasIhaveneverbeforeexperienced.Thesmellofhotmetalremainedtoassureusthatthelightwasstillthere,readytoflashoutatamoment'snotice.Tome,withmynervesworkeduptoapitchofexpectancy,therewassomethingdepressingandsubduinginthesuddengloom,andinthecolddankairofthevault.

"Theyhavebutoneretreat,"whisperedHolmes."ThatisbackthroughthehouseintoSaxe-CoburgSquare.IhopethatyouhavedonewhatIaskedyou,Jones?"

"Ihaveaninspectorandtwoofficerswaitingatthefrontdoor."

"Thenwehavestoppedalltheholes.Andnowwemustbesilentandwait."

Whatatimeitseemed!Fromcomparingnotesafterwardsitwasbutanhourandaquarter,yetitappearedtomethatthenightmusthavealmostgoneandthedawnbebreakingaboveus.Mylimbswerewearyandstiff,forIfearedtochangemyposition;yetmynerveswereworkeduptothehighestpitchoftension,andmyhearingwassoacutethatIcouldnotonlyhearthegentlebreathingofmycompanions,butIcoulddistinguishthedeeper,


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heavierin-breathofthebulkyJonesfromthethin,sighingnoteofthebankdirector.FrommypositionIcouldlookoverthecaseinthedirectionofthefloor.Suddenlymyeyescaughttheglintofalight.

Atfirstitwasbutaluridsparkuponthestonepavement.Thenitlengthenedoutuntilitbecameayellowline,andthen,withoutanywarningorsound,agashseemedtoopenandahandappeared,awhite,almostwomanlyhand,whichfeltaboutinthecentreofthelittleareaoflight.Foraminuteormorethehand,withitswrithingfingers,protrudedoutofthefloor.Thenitwaswithdrawnassuddenlyasitappeared,andallwasdarkagainsavethesingleluridsparkwhichmarkedachinkbetweenthestones.

Itsdisappearance,however,wasbutmomentary.Witharending,tearingsound,oneofthebroad,whitestonesturnedoveruponitssideandleftasquare,gapinghole,throughwhichstreamedthelightofalantern.Overtheedgetherepeepedaclean-cut,boyishface,whichlookedkeenlyaboutit,andthen,withahandoneithersideoftheaperture,drewitselfshoulder-highandwaist-high,untilonekneerestedupontheedge.Inanotherinstanthestoodatthesideoftheholeandwashaulingafterhimacompanion,litheandsmalllikehimself,withapaleface

andashockofveryredhair.

"It'sallclear,"hewhispered."Haveyouthechiselandthebags?GreatScott!Jump,Archie,jump,andI'llswingforit!"

SherlockHolmeshadsprungoutandseizedtheintruderbythecollar.Theotherdiveddownthehole,andIheardthesoundofrendingclothasJonesclutchedathisskirts.Thelightflasheduponthebarrelofarevolver,butHolmes'huntingcropcamedownontheman'swrist,andthepistolclinkeduponthestonefloor.

"It'snouse,JohnClay,"saidHolmesblandly."Youhaveno

chanceatall."

"SoIsee,"theotheransweredwiththeutmostcoolness."Ifancythatmypalisallright,thoughIseeyouhavegothiscoat-tails."

"Therearethreemenwaitingforhimatthedoor,"saidHolmes.

"Oh,indeed!Youseemtohavedonethethingverycompletely.Imustcomplimentyou."

"AndIyou,"Holmesanswered."Yourred-headedideawasverynewandeffective."

"You'llseeyourpalagainpresently,"saidJones."He'squickeratclimbingdownholesthanIam.JustholdoutwhileIfixthederbies."

"Ibegthatyouwillnottouchmewithyourfilthyhands,"remarkedourprisonerasthehandcuffsclattereduponhiswrists."YoumaynotbeawarethatIhaveroyalbloodinmyveins.Havethegoodness,also,whenyouaddressmealwaystosay'sir'and'please.'"


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"Allright,"saidJoneswithastareandasnigger."Well,wouldyouplease,sir,marchupstairs,wherewecangetacabtocarryyourHighnesstothepolice-station?"

"Thatisbetter,"saidJohnClayserenely.Hemadeasweepingbowtothethreeofusandwalkedquietlyoffinthecustodyofthedetective.

"Really,Mr.Holmes,"saidMr.Merryweatheraswefollowedthemfromthecellar,"Idonotknowhowthebankcanthankyouorrepayyou.Thereisnodoubtthatyouhavedetectedanddefeatedinthemostcompletemanneroneofthemostdeterminedattemptsatbankrobberythathaveevercomewithinmyexperience."

"IhavehadoneortwolittlescoresofmyowntosettlewithMr.JohnClay,"saidHolmes."Ihavebeenatsomesmallexpenseoverthismatter,whichIshallexpectthebanktorefund,butbeyondthatIamamplyrepaidbyhavinghadanexperiencewhichisinmanywaysunique,andbyhearingtheveryremarkablenarrativeoftheRed-headedLeague."

"Yousee,Watson,"heexplainedintheearlyhoursofthemorning

aswesatoveraglassofwhiskyandsodainBakerStreet,"itwasperfectlyobviousfromthefirstthattheonlypossibleobjectofthisratherfantasticbusinessoftheadvertisementoftheLeague,andthecopyingofthe'Encyclopaedia,'mustbetogetthisnotover-brightpawnbrokeroutofthewayforanumberofhourseveryday.Itwasacuriouswayofmanagingit,but,really,itwouldbedifficulttosuggestabetter.ThemethodwasnodoubtsuggestedtoClay'singeniousmindbythecolourofhisaccomplice'shair.The4poundsaweekwasalurewhichmustdrawhim,andwhatwasittothem,whowereplayingforthousands?Theyputintheadvertisement,oneroguehasthetemporaryoffice,theotherrogueincitesthemantoapplyforit,andtogethertheymanagetosecurehisabsenceeverymorninginthe

week.FromthetimethatIheardoftheassistanthavingcomeforhalfwages,itwasobvioustomethathehadsomestrongmotiveforsecuringthesituation."

"Buthowcouldyouguesswhatthemotivewas?"

"Hadtherebeenwomeninthehouse,Ishouldhavesuspectedamerevulgarintrigue.That,however,wasoutofthequestion.Theman'sbusinesswasasmallone,andtherewasnothinginhishousewhichcouldaccountforsuchelaboratepreparations,andsuchanexpenditureastheywereat.Itmust,then,besomethingoutofthehouse.Whatcoulditbe?Ithoughtoftheassistant'sfondnessforphotography,andhistrickofvanishingintothe

cellar.Thecellar!Therewastheendofthistangledclue.ThenImadeinquiriesastothismysteriousassistantandfoundthatIhadtodealwithoneofthecoolestandmostdaringcriminalsinLondon.Hewasdoingsomethinginthecellar--somethingwhichtookmanyhoursadayformonthsonend.Whatcoulditbe,oncemore?Icouldthinkofnothingsavethathewasrunningatunneltosomeotherbuilding.

"SofarIhadgotwhenwewenttovisitthesceneofaction.Isurprisedyoubybeatinguponthepavementwithmystick.Iwas


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ascertainingwhetherthecellarstretchedoutinfrontorbehind.Itwasnotinfront.ThenIrangthebell,and,asIhoped,theassistantansweredit.Wehavehadsomeskirmishes,butwehadneverseteyesuponeachotherbefore.Ihardlylookedathisface.HiskneeswerewhatIwishedtosee.Youmustyourselfhaveremarkedhowworn,wrinkled,andstainedtheywere.Theyspokeofthosehoursofburrowing.Theonlyremainingpointwaswhattheywereburrowingfor.Iwalkedroundthecorner,sawtheCityandSuburbanBankabuttedonourfriend'spremises,andfeltthatIhadsolvedmyproblem.WhenyoudrovehomeaftertheconcertIcalleduponScotlandYardanduponthechairmanofthebankdirectors,withtheresultthatyouhaveseen."

"Andhowcouldyoutellthattheywouldmaketheirattemptto-night?"Iasked.

"Well,whentheyclosedtheirLeagueofficesthatwasasignthattheycarednolongeraboutMr.JabezWilson'spresence--inotherwords,thattheyhadcompletedtheirtunnel.Butitwasessentialthattheyshoulduseitsoon,asitmightbediscovered,orthebullionmightberemoved.Saturdaywouldsuitthembetterthananyotherday,asitwouldgivethemtwodaysfortheirescape.ForallthesereasonsIexpectedthemtocometo-night."

"Youreasoneditoutbeautifully,"Iexclaimedinunfeignedadmiration."Itissolongachain,andyeteverylinkringstrue."

"Itsavedmefromennui,"heanswered,yawning."Alas!Ialreadyfeelitclosinginuponme.Mylifeisspentinonelongefforttoescapefromthecommonplacesofexistence.Theselittleproblemshelpmetodoso."

"Andyouareabenefactoroftherace,"saidI.

Heshruggedhisshoulders."Well,perhaps,afterall,itisofsomelittleuse,"heremarked."'L'hommec'estrien--l'oeuvre

c'esttout,'asGustaveFlaubertwrotetoGeorgeSand."

ADVENTUREIII.ACASEOFIDENTITY

"Mydearfellow,"saidSherlockHolmesaswesatoneithersideofthefireinhislodgingsatBakerStreet,"lifeisinfinitelystrangerthananythingwhichthemindofmancouldinvent.Wewouldnotdaretoconceivethethingswhicharereallymerecommonplacesofexistence.Ifwecouldflyoutofthatwindowhandinhand,hoveroverthisgreatcity,gentlyremovetheroofs,andpeepinatthequeerthingswhicharegoingon,the

strangecoincidences,theplannings,thecross-purposes,thewonderfulchainsofevents,workingthroughgenerations,andleadingtothemostoutrresults,itwouldmakeallfictionwithitsconventionalitiesandforeseenconclusionsmoststaleandunprofitable."

"AndyetIamnotconvincedofit,"Ianswered."Thecaseswhichcometolightinthepapersare,asarule,baldenough,andvulgarenough.Wehaveinourpolicereportsrealismpushedtoitsextremelimits,andyettheresultis,itmustbeconfessed,


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neitherfascinatingnorartistic."

"Acertainselectionanddiscretionmustbeusedinproducingarealisticeffect,"remarkedHolmes."Thisiswantinginthepolicereport,wheremorestressislaid,perhaps,upontheplatitudesofthemagistratethanuponthedetails,whichtoanobservercontainthevitalessenceofthewholematter.Dependuponit,thereisnothingsounnaturalasthecommonplace."

Ismiledandshookmyhead."Icanquiteunderstandyourthinkingso."Isaid."Ofcourse,inyourpositionofunofficialadviserandhelpertoeverybodywhoisabsolutelypuzzled,throughoutthreecontinents,youarebroughtincontactwithallthatisstrangeandbizarre.Buthere"--Ipickedupthemorningpaperfromtheground--"letusputittoapracticaltest.HereisthefirstheadinguponwhichIcome.'Ahusband'scrueltytohiswife.'Thereishalfacolumnofprint,butIknowwithoutreadingitthatitisallperfectlyfamiliartome.Thereis,ofcourse,theotherwoman,thedrink,thepush,theblow,thebruise,thesympatheticsisterorlandlady.Thecrudestofwriterscouldinventnothingmorecrude."

"Indeed,yourexampleisanunfortunateoneforyourargument,"saidHolmes,takingthepaperandglancinghiseyedownit."This

istheDundasseparationcase,and,asithappens,Iwasengagedinclearingupsomesmallpointsinconnectionwithit.Thehusbandwasateetotaler,therewasnootherwoman,andtheconductcomplainedofwasthathehaddriftedintothehabitofwindingupeverymealbytakingouthisfalseteethandhurlingthemathiswife,which,youwillallow,isnotanactionlikelytooccurtotheimaginationoftheaveragestory-teller.Takeapinchofsnuff,Doctor,andacknowledgethatIhavescoredoveryouinyourexample."

Heheldouthissnuffboxofoldgold,withagreatamethystinthecentreofthelid.ItssplendourwasinsuchcontrasttohishomelywaysandsimplelifethatIcouldnothelpcommentingupon

it.

"Ah,"saidhe,"IforgotthatIhadnotseenyouforsomeweeks.ItisalittlesouvenirfromtheKingofBohemiainreturnformyassistanceinthecaseoftheIreneAdlerpapers."

"Andthering?"Iasked,glancingataremarkablebrilliantwhichsparkleduponhisfinger.

"ItwasfromthereigningfamilyofHolland,thoughthematterinwhichIservedthemwasofsuchdelicacythatIcannotconfideiteventoyou,whohavebeengoodenoughtochronicleoneortwoofmylittleproblems."

"Andhaveyouanyonhandjustnow?"Iaskedwithinterest.

"Sometenortwelve,butnonewhichpresentanyfeatureofinterest.Theyareimportant,youunderstand,withoutbeinginteresting.Indeed,Ihavefoundthatitisusuallyinunimportantmattersthatthereisafieldfortheobservation,andforthequickanalysisofcauseandeffectwhichgivesthecharmtoaninvestigation.Thelargercrimesareapttobethesimpler,forthebiggerthecrimethemoreobvious,asarule,is


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themotive.Inthesecases,saveforoneratherintricatematterwhichhasbeenreferredtomefromMarseilles,thereisnothingwhichpresentsanyfeaturesofinterest.Itispossible,however,thatImayhavesomethingbetterbeforeverymanyminutesareover,forthisisoneofmyclients,orIammuchmistaken."

Hehadrisenfromhischairandwasstandingbetweenthepartedblindsgazingdownintothedullneutral-tintedLondonstreet.Lookingoverhisshoulder,Isawthatonthepavementoppositetherestoodalargewomanwithaheavyfurboaroundherneck,andalargecurlingredfeatherinabroad-brimmedhatwhichwastiltedinacoquettishDuchessofDevonshirefashionoverherear.Fromunderthisgreatpanoplyshepeepedupinanervous,hesitatingfashionatourwindows,whileherbodyoscillatedbackwardandforward,andherfingersfidgetedwithherglovebuttons.Suddenly,withaplunge,asoftheswimmerwholeavesthebank,shehurriedacrosstheroad,andweheardthesharpclangofthebell.

"Ihaveseenthosesymptomsbefore,"saidHolmes,throwinghiscigaretteintothefire."Oscillationuponthepavementalwaysmeansanaffairedecoeur.Shewouldlikeadvice,butisnotsurethatthematterisnottoodelicateforcommunication.Andyetevenherewemaydiscriminate.Whenawomanhasbeenseriously

wrongedbyamanshenolongeroscillates,andtheusualsymptomisabrokenbellwire.Herewemaytakeitthatthereisalovematter,butthatthemaidenisnotsomuchangryasperplexed,orgrieved.Buthereshecomesinpersontoresolveourdoubts."

Ashespoketherewasatapatthedoor,andt

Documents

Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, The - Doyle