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THE*PROJECT*GUTENBERG*EBOOK*OF*THE*ADVENTURES*OF*SHERLOCK*HOLMES
BY*SIR*ARTHUR*CONAN*DOYLE
(#15*IN*OUR*SERIES*BY*SIR*ARTHUR*CONAN*DOYLE)
COPYRIGHT*LAWS*ARE*CHANGING*ALL*OVER*THE*WORLD.*BE*SURE*TO*CHECK*THE
COPYRIGHT*LAWS*FOR*YOUR*COUNTRY*BEFORE*DOWNLOADING*OR*REDISTRIBUTING
THIS*OR*ANY*OTHER*PROJECT*GUTENBERG*EBOOK.
THIS*HEADER*SHOULD*BE*THE*FIRST*THING*SEEN*WHEN*VIEWING*THIS*PROJECT
GUTENBERG*FILE.**PLEASE*DO*NOT*REMOVE*IT.**DO*NOT*CHANGE*OR*EDIT*THE
HEADER*WITHOUT*WRITTEN*PERMISSION.
PLEASE*READ*THE*"LEGAL*SMALL*PRINT,"*AND*OTHER*INFORMATION*ABOUT*THE
EBOOK*AND*PROJECT*GUTENBERG*AT*THE*BOTTOM*OF*THIS*FILE.**INCLUDED*IS
IMPORTANT*INFORMATION*ABOUT*YOUR*SPECIFIC*RIGHTS*AND*RESTRICTIONS*IN
HOW*THE*FILE*MAY*BE*USED.**YOU*CAN*ALSO*FIND*OUT*ABOUT*HOW*TO*MAKE*A
DONATION*TO*PROJECT*GUTENBERG,*AND*HOW*TO*GET*INVOLVED.
**WELCOME*TO*THE*WORLD*OF*FREE*PLAIN*VANILLA*ELECTRONIC*TEXTS**
**EBOOKS*READABLE*BY*BOTH*HUMANS*AND*BY*COMPUTERS,*SINCE*1971**
*****THESE*EBOOKS*WERE*PREPARED*BY*THOUSANDS*OF*VOLUNTEERS!*****
TITLE:*THE*ADVENTURES*OF*SHERLOCK*HOLMES
AUTHOR:*SIR*ARTHUR*CONAN*DOYLE
RELEASE*DATE:*MARCH,*1999**[EBOOK*#1661]
[MOST*RECENTLY*UPDATED:*NOVEMBER*29,*2002]
EDITION:*12
LANGUAGE:*ENGLISH
CHARACTER*SET*ENCODING:*ASCII
****START*OF*THE*PROJECT*GUTENBERG*EBOOK,*THE*ADVENTURES*OF*SHERLOCK*HOLMES****
(ADDITIONAL*EDITING*BY*JOSE*MENENDEZ)
THE*ADVENTURES*OF
SHERLOCK*HOLMES
BY
SIR*ARTHUR*CONAN*DOYLE
CONTENTS
I. A*SCANDAL*IN*BOHEMIA
II. THE*RED-HEADED*LEAGUE
III. A*CASE*OF*IDENTITY
IV. THE*BOSCOMBE*VALLEY*MYSTERY
V. THE*FIVE*ORANGE*PIPS
VI. THE*MAN*WITH*THE*TWISTED*LIP
VII. THE*ADVENTURE*OF*THE*BLUE*CARBUNCLE
VIII. THE*ADVENTURE*OF*THE*SPECKLED*BAND
IX. THE*ADVENTURE*OF*THE*ENGINEER'S*THUMB
X. THE*ADVENTURE*OF*THE*NOBLE*BACHELOR
XI. THE*ADVENTURE*OF*THE*BERYL*CORONET
XII. THE*ADVENTURE*OF*THE*COPPER*BEECHES
ADVENTURE**I.**A*SCANDAL*IN*BOHEMIA
I.
ONE*NIGHT--IT*WAS*ON*THE*TWENTIETH*OF*MARCH,*1888--I*WAS*RETURNING*FROM*A*JOURNEY*TO*A*PATIENT*(FOR*I*HAD*NOW*RETURNED*TO*CIVIL*PRACTICE),*WHEN*MY*WAY*LED*ME*THROUGH*BAKER*STREET.*AS*I*PASSED*THE*WELL-REMEMBERED*DOOR,*WHICH*MUST*ALWAYS*BE*ASSOCIATED*IN*MY*MIND*WITH*MY*WOOING,*AND*WITH*THE*DARK*INCIDENTS*OF*THE*STUDY*IN*SCARLET,*I*WAS*SEIZED*WITH*A*KEEN*DESIRE*TO*SEE*HOLMES*AGAIN,*AND*TO*KNOW*HOW*HE*WAS*EMPLOYING*HIS*EXTRAORDINARY*POWERS.*HIS*ROOMS*WERE*BRILLIANTLY*LIT,*AND,*EVEN*AS*I*LOOKED*UP,*I*SAW*HIS*TALL,*SPARE*FIGURE*PASS*TWICE*IN*A*DARK*SILHOUETTE*AGAINST*THE*BLIND.*HE*WAS*PACING*THE*ROOM*SWIFTLY,*EAGERLY,*WITH*HIS*HEAD*SUNK*UPON*HIS*CHEST*AND*HIS*HANDS*CLASPED*BEHIND*HIM.*TO*ME,*WHO*KNEW*HIS*EVERY*MOOD*AND*HABIT,*HIS*ATTITUDE*AND*MANNER*TOLD*THEIR*OWN*STORY.*HE*WAS*AT*WORK*AGAIN.*HE*HAD*RISEN*OUT*OF*HIS*DRUG-CREATED*DREAMS*AND*WAS*HOT*UPON*THE*SCENT*OF*SOME*NEW*PROBLEM.*I*RANG*THE*BELL*AND*WAS*SHOWN*UP*TO*THE*CHAMBER*WHICH*HAD*FORMERLY*BEEN*IN*PART*MY*OWN.
HIS*MANNER*WAS*NOT*EFFUSIVE.*IT*SELDOM*WAS;*BUT*HE*WAS*GLAD,*I*THINK,*TO*SEE*ME.*WITH*HARDLY*A*WORD*SPOKEN,*BUT*WITH*A*KINDLY*EYE,*HE*WAVED*ME*TO*AN*ARMCHAIR,*THREW*ACROSS*HIS*CASE*OF*CIGARS,*AND*INDICATED*A*SPIRIT*CASE*AND*A*GASOGENE*IN*THE*CORNER.*THEN*HE*STOOD*BEFORE*THE*FIRE*AND*LOOKED*ME*OVER*IN*HIS*SINGULAR*INTROSPECTIVE*FASHION.
"WEDLOCK*SUITS*YOU,"*HE*REMARKED.*"I*THINK,*WATSON,*THAT*YOU*HAVE*PUT*ON*SEVEN*AND*A*HALF*POUNDS*SINCE*I*SAW*YOU."
"SEVEN!"*I*ANSWERED.
"INDEED,*I*SHOULD*HAVE*THOUGHT*A*LITTLE*MORE.*JUST*A*TRIFLE*MORE,*I*FANCY,*WATSON.*AND*IN*PRACTICE*AGAIN,*I*OBSERVE.*YOU*DID*NOT*TELL*ME*THAT*YOU*INTENDED*TO*GO*INTO*HARNESS."
"THEN,*HOW*DO*YOU*KNOW?"
"I*SEE*IT,*I*DEDUCE*IT.*HOW*DO*I*KNOW*THAT*YOU*HAVE*BEEN*GETTING*YOURSELF*VERY*WET*LATELY,*AND*THAT*YOU*HAVE*A*MOST*CLUMSY*AND*CARELESS*SERVANT*GIRL?"
"MY*DEAR*HOLMES,"*SAID*I,*"THIS*IS*TOO*MUCH.*YOU*WOULD*CERTAINLY*HAVE*BEEN*BURNED,*HAD*YOU*LIVED*A*FEW*CENTURIES*AGO.*IT*IS*TRUE*THAT*I*HAD*A*COUNTRY*WALK*ON*THURSDAY*AND*CAME*HOME*IN*A*DREADFUL*MESS,*BUT*AS*I*HAVE*CHANGED*MY*CLOTHES*I*CAN'T*IMAGINE*HOW*YOU*DEDUCE*IT.*AS*TO*MARY*JANE,*SHE*IS*INCORRIGIBLE,*AND*MY*WIFE*HAS*GIVEN*HER*NOTICE,*BUT*THERE,*AGAIN,*I*FAIL*TO*SEE*HOW*YOU*WORK*IT*OUT."
HE*CHUCKLED*TO*HIMSELF*AND*RUBBED*HIS*LONG,*NERVOUS*HANDS*TOGETHER.
"IT*IS*SIMPLICITY*ITSELF,"*SAID*HE;*"MY*EYES*TELL*ME*THAT*ON*THE*INSIDE*OF*YOUR*LEFT*SHOE,*JUST*WHERE*THE*FIRELIGHT*STRIKES*IT,*THE*LEATHER*IS*SCORED*BY*SIX*ALMOST*PARALLEL*CUTS.*OBVIOUSLY*THEY*HAVE*BEEN*CAUSED*BY*SOMEONE*WHO*HAS*VERY*CARELESSLY*SCRAPED*ROUND*THE*EDGES*OF*THE*SOLE*IN*ORDER*TO*REMOVE*CRUSTED*MUD*FROM*IT.*HENCE,*YOU*SEE,*MY*DOUBLE*DEDUCTION*THAT*YOU*HAD*BEEN*OUT*IN*VILE*WEATHER,*AND*THAT*YOU*HAD*A*PARTICULARLY*MALIGNANT*BOOT-SLITTING*SPECIMEN*OF*THE*LONDON*SLAVEY.*AS*TO*YOUR*PRACTICE,*IF*A*GENTLEMAN*WALKS*INTO*MY*ROOMS*SMELLING*OF*IODOFORM,*WITH*A*BLACK*MARK*OF*NITRATE*OF*SILVER*UPON*HIS*RIGHT*FOREFINGER,*AND*A*BULGE*ON*THE*RIGHT*SIDE*OF*HIS*TOP-HAT*TO*SHOW*WHERE*HE*HAS*SECRETED*HIS*STETHOSCOPE,*I*MUST*BE*DULL,*INDEED,*IF*I*DO*NOT*PRONOUNCE*HIM*TO*BE*AN*ACTIVE*MEMBER*OF*THE*MEDICAL*PROFESSION."
I*COULD*NOT*HELP*LAUGHING*AT*THE*EASE*WITH*WHICH*HE*EXPLAINED*HIS*PROCESS*OF*DEDUCTION.*"WHEN*I*HEAR*YOU*GIVE*YOUR*REASONS,"*I*REMARKED,*"THE*THING*ALWAYS*APPEARS*TO*ME*TO*BE*SO*RIDICULOUSLY*SIMPLE*THAT*I*COULD*EASILY*DO*IT*MYSELF,*THOUGH*AT*EACH*SUCCESSIVE*INSTANCE*OF*YOUR*REASONING*I*AM*BAFFLED*UNTIL*YOU*EXPLAIN*YOUR*PROCESS.*AND*YET*I*BELIEVE*THAT*MY*EYES*ARE*AS*GOOD*AS*YOURS."
"QUITE*SO,"*HE*ANSWERED,*LIGHTING*A*CIGARETTE,*AND*THROWING*HIMSELF*DOWN*INTO*AN*ARMCHAIR.*"YOU*SEE,*BUT*YOU*DO*NOT*OBSERVE.*THE*DISTINCTION*IS*CLEAR.*FOR*EXAMPLE,*YOU*HAVE*FREQUENTLY*SEEN*THE*STEPS*WHICH*LEAD*UP*FROM*THE*HALL*TO*THIS*ROOM."
"FREQUENTLY."
"HOW*OFTEN?"
"WELL,*SOME*HUNDREDS*OF*TIMES."
"THEN*HOW*MANY*ARE*THERE?"
"HOW*MANY?*I*DON'T*KNOW."
"QUITE*SO!*YOU*HAVE*NOT*OBSERVED.*AND*YET*YOU*HAVE*SEEN.*THAT*IS*JUST*MY*POINT.*NOW,*I*KNOW*THAT*THERE*ARE*SEVENTEEN*STEPS,*BECAUSE*I*HAVE*BOTH*SEEN*AND*OBSERVED.*BY*THE*WAY,*SINCE*YOU*ARE*INTERESTED*IN*THESE*LITTLE*PROBLEMS,*AND*SINCE*YOU*ARE*GOOD*ENOUGH*TO*CHRONICLE*ONE*OR*TWO*OF*MY*TRIFLING*EXPERIENCES,*YOU*MAY*BE*INTERESTED*IN*THIS."*HE*THREW*OVER*A*SHEET*OF*THICK,*PINK-TINTED*NOTEPAPER*WHICH*HAD*BEEN*LYING*OPEN*UPON*THE*TABLE.*"IT*CAME*BY*THE*LAST*POST,"*SAID*HE.*"READ*IT*ALOUD."
THE*NOTE*WAS*UNDATED,*AND*WITHOUT*EITHER*SIGNATURE*OR*ADDRESS.
"THERE*WILL*CALL*UPON*YOU*TO-NIGHT,*AT*A*QUARTER*TO*EIGHT*O'CLOCK,"*IT*SAID,*"A*GENTLEMAN*WHO*DESIRES*TO*CONSULT*YOU*UPON*A*MATTER*OF*THE*VERY*DEEPEST*MOMENT.*YOUR*RECENT*SERVICES*TO*ONE*OF*THE*ROYAL*HOUSES*OF*EUROPE*HAVE*SHOWN*THAT*YOU*ARE*ONE*WHO*MAY*SAFELY*BE*TRUSTED*WITH*MATTERS*WHICH*ARE*OF*AN*IMPORTANCE*WHICH*CAN*HARDLY*BE*EXAGGERATED.*THIS*ACCOUNT*OF*YOU*WE*HAVE*FROM*ALL*QUARTERS*RECEIVED.*BE*IN*YOUR*CHAMBER*THEN*AT*THAT*HOUR,*AND*DO*NOT*TAKE*IT*AMISS*IF*YOUR*VISITOR*WEAR*A*MASK."
"THIS*IS*INDEED*A*MYSTERY,"*I*REMARKED.*"WHAT*DO*YOU*IMAGINE*THAT*IT*MEANS?"
"I*HAVE*NO*DATA*YET.*IT*IS*A*CAPITAL*MISTAKE*TO*THEORISE*BEFORE*ONE*HAS*DATA.*INSENSIBLY*ONE*BEGINS*TO*TWIST*FACTS*TO*SUIT*THEORIES,*INSTEAD*OF*THEORIES*TO*SUIT*FACTS.*BUT*THE*NOTE*ITSELF.*WHAT*DO*YOU*DEDUCE*FROM*IT?"
I*CAREFULLY*EXAMINED*THE*WRITING,*AND*THE*PAPER*UPON*WHICH*IT*WAS*WRITTEN.
"THE*MAN*WHO*WROTE*IT*WAS*PRESUMABLY*WELL*TO*DO,"*I*REMARKED,*ENDEAVOURING*TO*IMITATE*MY*COMPANION'S*PROCESSES.*"SUCH*PAPER*COULD*NOT*BE*BOUGHT*UNDER*HALF*A*CROWN*A*PACKET.*IT*IS*PECULIARLY*STRONG*AND*STIFF."
"PECULIAR--THAT*IS*THE*VERY*WORD,"*SAID*HOLMES.*"IT*IS*NOT*AN*ENGLISH*PAPER*AT*ALL.*HOLD*IT*UP*TO*THE*LIGHT."
I*DID*SO,*AND*SAW*A*LARGE*"E"*WITH*A*SMALL*"G,"*A*"P,"*AND*A*LARGE*"G"*WITH*A*SMALL*"T"*WOVEN*INTO*THE*TEXTURE*OF*THE*PAPER.
"WHAT*DO*YOU*MAKE*OF*THAT?"*ASKED*HOLMES.
"THE*NAME*OF*THE*MAKER,*NO*DOUBT;*OR*HIS*MONOGRAM,*RATHER."
"NOT*AT*ALL.*THE*'G'*WITH*THE*SMALL*'T'*STANDS*FOR*'GESELLSCHAFT,'*WHICH*IS*THE*GERMAN*FOR*'COMPANY.'*IT*IS*A*CUSTOMARY*CONTRACTION*LIKE*OUR*'CO.'*'P,'*OF*COURSE,*STANDS*FOR*'PAPIER.'*NOW*FOR*THE*'EG.'*LET*US*GLANCE*AT*OUR*CONTINENTAL*GAZETTEER."*HE*TOOK*DOWN*A*HEAVY*BROWN*VOLUME*FROM*HIS*SHELVES.*"EGLOW,*EGLONITZ--HERE*WE*ARE,*EGRIA.*IT*IS*IN*A*GERMAN-SPEAKING*COUNTRY--IN*BOHEMIA,*NOT*FAR*FROM*CARLSBAD.*'REMARKABLE*AS*BEING*THE*SCENE*OF*THE*DEATH*OF*WALLENSTEIN,*AND*FOR*ITS*NUMEROUS*GLASS-FACTORIES*AND*PAPER-MILLS.'*HA,*HA,*MY*BOY,*WHAT*DO*YOU*MAKE*OF*THAT?"*HIS*EYES*SPARKLED,*AND*HE*SENT*UP*A*GREAT*BLUE*TRIUMPHANT*CLOUD*FROM*HIS*CIGARETTE.
"THE*PAPER*WAS*MADE*IN*BOHEMIA,"*I*SAID.
"PRECISELY.*AND*THE*MAN*WHO*WROTE*THE*NOTE*IS*A*GERMAN.*DO*YOU*NOTE*THE*PECULIAR*CONSTRUCTION*OF*THE*SENTENCE--'THIS*ACCOUNT*OF*YOU*WE*HAVE*FROM*ALL*QUARTERS*RECEIVED.'*A*FRENCHMAN*OR*RUSSIAN*COULD*NOT*HAVE*WRITTEN*THAT.*IT*IS*THE*GERMAN*WHO*IS*SO*UNCOURTEOUS*TO*HIS*VERBS.*IT*ONLY*REMAINS,*THEREFORE,*TO*DISCOVER*WHAT*IS*WANTED*BY*THIS*GERMAN*WHO*WRITES*UPON*BOHEMIAN*PAPER*AND*PREFERS*WEARING*A*MASK*TO*SHOWING*HIS*FACE.*AND*HERE*HE*COMES,*IF*I*AM*NOT*MISTAKEN,*TO*RESOLVE*ALL*OUR*DOUBTS."
AS*HE*SPOKE*THERE*WAS*THE*SHARP*SOUND*OF*HORSES'*HOOFS*AND*GRATING*WHEELS*AGAINST*THE*CURB,*FOLLOWED*BY*A*SHARP*PULL*AT*THE*BELL.*HOLMES*WHISTLED.
"A*PAIR,*BY*THE*SOUND,"*SAID*HE.*"YES,"*HE*CONTINUED,*GLANCING*OUT*OF*THE*WINDOW.*"A*NICE*LITTLE*BROUGHAM*AND*A*PAIR*OF*BEAUTIES.*A*HUNDRED*AND*FIFTY*GUINEAS*APIECE.*THERE'S*MONEY*IN*THIS*CASE,*WATSON,*IF*THERE*IS*NOTHING*ELSE."
"I*THINK*THAT*I*HAD*BETTER*GO,*HOLMES."
"NOT*A*BIT,*DOCTOR.*STAY*WHERE*YOU*ARE.*I*AM*LOST*WITHOUT*MY*BOSWELL.*AND*THIS*PROMISES*TO*BE*INTERESTING.*IT*WOULD*BE*A*PITY*TO*MISS*IT."
"BUT*YOUR*CLIENT--"
"NEVER*MIND*HIM.*I*MAY*WANT*YOUR*HELP,*AND*SO*MAY*HE.*HERE*HE*COMES.*SIT*DOWN*IN*THAT*ARMCHAIR,*DOCTOR,*AND*GIVE*US*YOUR*BEST*ATTENTION."
A*SLOW*AND*HEAVY*STEP,*WHICH*HAD*BEEN*HEARD*UPON*THE*STAIRS*AND*IN*THE*PASSAGE,*PAUSED*IMMEDIATELY*OUTSIDE*THE*DOOR.*THEN*THERE*WAS*A*LOUD*AND*AUTHORITATIVE*TAP.
"COME*IN!"*SAID*HOLMES.
"YOU*HAD*MY*NOTE?"*HE*ASKED*WITH*A*DEEP*HARSH*VOICE*AND*A*STRONGLY*MARKED*GERMAN*ACCENT.*"I*TOLD*YOU*THAT*I*WOULD*CALL."*HE*LOOKED*FROM*ONE*TO*THE*OTHER*OF*US,*AS*IF*UNCERTAIN*WHICH*TO*ADDRESS.
"PRAY*TAKE*A*SEAT,"*SAID*HOLMES.*"THIS*IS*MY*FRIEND*AND*COLLEAGUE,*DR.*WATSON,*WHO*IS*OCCASIONALLY*GOOD*ENOUGH*TO*HELP*ME*IN*MY*CASES.*WHOM*HAVE*I*THE*HONOUR*TO*ADDRESS?"
"YOU*MAY*ADDRESS*ME*AS*THE*COUNT*VON*KRAMM,*A*BOHEMIAN*NOBLEMAN.*I*UNDERSTAND*THAT*THIS*GENTLEMAN,*YOUR*FRIEND,*IS*A*MAN*OF*HONOUR*AND*DISCRETION,*WHOM*I*MAY*TRUST*WITH*A*MATTER*OF*THE*MOST*EXTREME*IMPORTANCE.*IF*NOT,*I*SHOULD*MUCH*PREFER*TO*COMMUNICATE*WITH*YOU*ALONE."
I*ROSE*TO*GO,*BUT*HOLMES*CAUGHT*ME*BY*THE*WRIST*AND*PUSHED*ME*BACK*INTO*MY*CHAIR.*"IT*IS*BOTH,*OR*NONE,"*SAID*HE.*"YOU*MAY*SAY*BEFORE*THIS*GENTLEMAN*ANYTHING*WHICH*YOU*MAY*SAY*TO*ME."
THE*COUNT*SHRUGGED*HIS*BROAD*SHOULDERS.*"THEN*I*MUST*BEGIN,"*SAID*HE,*"BY*BINDING*YOU*BOTH*TO*ABSOLUTE*SECRECY*FOR*TWO*YEARS;*AT*THE*END*OF*THAT*TIME*THE*MATTER*WILL*BE*OF*NO*IMPORTANCE.*AT*PRESENT*IT*IS*NOT*TOO*MUCH*TO*SAY*THAT*IT*IS*OF*SUCH*WEIGHT*IT*MAY*HAVE*AN*INFLUENCE*UPON*EUROPEAN*HISTORY."
"I*PROMISE,"*SAID*HOLMES.
"AND*I."
"YOU*WILL*EXCUSE*THIS*MASK,"*CONTINUED*OUR*STRANGE*VISITOR.*"THE*AUGUST*PERSON*WHO*EMPLOYS*ME*WISHES*HIS*AGENT*TO*BE*UNKNOWN*TO*YOU,*AND*I*MAY*CONFESS*AT*ONCE*THAT*THE*TITLE*BY*WHICH*I*HAVE*JUST*CALLED*MYSELF*IS*NOT*EXACTLY*MY*OWN."
"I*WAS*AWARE*OF*IT,"*SAID*HOLMES*DRYLY.
"THE*CIRCUMSTANCES*ARE*OF*GREAT*DELICACY,*AND*EVERY*PRECAUTION*HAS*TO*BE*TAKEN*TO*QUENCH*WHAT*MIGHT*GROW*TO*BE*AN*IMMENSE*SCANDAL*AND*SERIOUSLY*COMPROMISE*ONE*OF*THE*REIGNING*FAMILIES*OF*EUROPE.*TO*SPEAK*PLAINLY,*THE*MATTER*IMPLICATES*THE*GREAT*HOUSE*OF*ORMSTEIN,*HEREDITARY*KINGS*OF*BOHEMIA."
"I*WAS*ALSO*AWARE*OF*THAT,"*MURMURED*HOLMES,*SETTLING*HIMSELF*DOWN*IN*HIS*ARMCHAIR*AND*CLOSING*HIS*EYES.
OUR*VISITOR*GLANCED*WITH*SOME*APPARENT*SURPRISE*AT*THE*LANGUID,*LOUNGING*FIGURE*OF*THE*MAN*WHO*HAD*BEEN*NO*DOUBT*DEPICTED*TO*HIM*AS*THE*MOST*INCISIVE*REASONER*AND*MOST*ENERGETIC*AGENT*IN*EUROPE.*HOLMES*SLOWLY*REOPENED*HIS*EYES*AND*LOOKED*IMPATIENTLY*AT*HIS*GIGANTIC*CLIENT.
"IF*YOUR*MAJESTY*WOULD*CONDESCEND*TO*STATE*YOUR*CASE,"*HE*REMARKED,*"I*SHOULD*BE*BETTER*ABLE*TO*ADVISE*YOU."
THE*MAN*SPRANG*FROM*HIS*CHAIR*AND*PACED*UP*AND*DOWN*THE*ROOM*IN*UNCONTROLLABLE*AGITATION.*THEN,*WITH*A*GESTURE*OF*DESPERATION,*HE*TORE*THE*MASK*FROM*HIS*FACE*AND*HURLED*IT*UPON*THE*GROUND.*"YOU*ARE*RIGHT,"*HE*CRIED;*"I*AM*THE*KING.*WHY*SHOULD*I*ATTEMPT*TO*CONCEAL*IT?"
"WHY,*INDEED?"*MURMURED*HOLMES.*"YOUR*MAJESTY*HAD*NOT*SPOKEN*BEFORE*I*WAS*AWARE*THAT*I*WAS*ADDRESSING*WILHELM*GOTTSREICH*SIGISMOND*VON*ORMSTEIN,*GRAND*DUKE*OF*CASSEL-FELSTEIN,*AND*HEREDITARY*KING*OF*BOHEMIA."
"BUT*YOU*CAN*UNDERSTAND,"*SAID*OUR*STRANGE*VISITOR,*SITTING*DOWN*ONCE*MORE*AND*PASSING*HIS*HAND*OVER*HIS*HIGH*WHITE*FOREHEAD,*"YOU*CAN*UNDERSTAND*THAT*I*AM*NOT*ACCUSTOMED*TO*DOING*SUCH*BUSINESS*IN*MY*OWN*PERSON.*YET*THE*MATTER*WAS*SO*DELICATE*THAT*I*COULD*NOT*CONFIDE*IT*TO*AN*AGENT*WITHOUT*PUTTING*MYSELF*IN*HIS*POWER.*I*HAVE*COME*INCOGNITO*FROM*PRAGUE*FOR*THE*PURPOSE*OF*CONSULTING*YOU."
"THEN,*PRAY*CONSULT,"*SAID*HOLMES,*SHUTTING*HIS*EYES*ONCE*MORE.
"THE*FACTS*ARE*BRIEFLY*THESE:*SOME*FIVE*YEARS*AGO,*DURING*A*LENGTHY*VISIT*TO*WARSAW,*I*MADE*THE*ACQUAINTANCE*OF*THE*WELL-KNOWN*ADVENTURESS,*IRENE*ADLER.*THE*NAME*IS*NO*DOUBT*FAMILIAR*TO*YOU."
"KINDLY*LOOK*HER*UP*IN*MY*INDEX,*DOCTOR,"*MURMURED*HOLMES*WITHOUT*OPENING*HIS*EYES.*FOR*MANY*YEARS*HE*HAD*ADOPTED*A*SYSTEM*OF*DOCKETING*ALL*PARAGRAPHS*CONCERNING*MEN*AND*THINGS,*SO*THAT*IT*WAS*DIFFICULT*TO*NAME*A*SUBJECT*OR*A*PERSON*ON*WHICH*HE*COULD*NOT*AT*ONCE*FURNISH*INFORMATION.*IN*THIS*CASE*I*FOUND*HER*BIOGRAPHY*SANDWICHED*IN*BETWEEN*THAT*OF*A*HEBREW*RABBI*AND*THAT*OF*A*STAFF-COMMANDER*WHO*HAD*WRITTEN*A*MONOGRAPH*UPON*THE*DEEP-SEA*FISHES.
"LET*ME*SEE!"*SAID*HOLMES.*"HUM!*BORN*IN*NEW*JERSEY*IN*THE*YEAR*1858.*CONTRALTO--HUM!*LA*SCALA,*HUM!*PRIMA*DONNA*IMPERIAL*OPERA*OF*WARSAW--YES!*RETIRED*FROM*OPERATIC*STAGE--HA!*LIVING*IN*LONDON--QUITE*SO!*YOUR*MAJESTY,*AS*I*UNDERSTAND,*BECAME*ENTANGLED*WITH*THIS*YOUNG*PERSON,*WROTE*HER*SOME*COMPROMISING*LETTERS,*AND*IS*NOW*DESIROUS*OF*GETTING*THOSE*LETTERS*BACK."
"PRECISELY*SO.*BUT*HOW--"
"WAS*THERE*A*SECRET*MARRIAGE?"
"NONE."
"NO*LEGAL*PAPERS*OR*CERTIFICATES?"
"NONE."
"THEN*I*FAIL*TO*FOLLOW*YOUR*MAJESTY.*IF*THIS*YOUNG*PERSON*SHOULD*PRODUCE*HER*LETTERS*FOR*BLACKMAILING*OR*OTHER*PURPOSES,*HOW*IS*SHE*TO*PROVE*THEIR*AUTHENTICITY?"
"THERE*IS*THE*WRITING."
"POOH,*POOH!*FORGERY."
"MY*PRIVATE*NOTE-PAPER."
"STOLEN."
"MY*OWN*SEAL."
"IMITATED."
"MY*PHOTOGRAPH."
"BOUGHT."
"WE*WERE*BOTH*IN*THE*PHOTOGRAPH."
"OH,*DEAR!*THAT*IS*VERY*BAD!*YOUR*MAJESTY*HAS*INDEED*COMMITTED*AN*INDISCRETION."
"I*WAS*MAD--INSANE."
"YOU*HAVE*COMPROMISED*YOURSELF*SERIOUSLY."
"I*WAS*ONLY*CROWN*PRINCE*THEN.*I*WAS*YOUNG.*I*AM*BUT*THIRTY*NOW."
"IT*MUST*BE*RECOVERED."
"WE*HAVE*TRIED*AND*FAILED."
"YOUR*MAJESTY*MUST*PAY.*IT*MUST*BE*BOUGHT."
"SHE*WILL*NOT*SELL."
"STOLEN,*THEN."
"FIVE*ATTEMPTS*HAVE*BEEN*MADE.*TWICE*BURGLARS*IN*MY*PAY*RANSACKED*HER*HOUSE.*ONCE*WE*DIVERTED*HER*LUGGAGE*WHEN*SHE*TRAVELLED.*TWICE*SHE*HAS*BEEN*WAYLAID.*THERE*HAS*BEEN*NO*RESULT."
"NO*SIGN*OF*IT?"
"ABSOLUTELY*NONE."
HOLMES*LAUGHED.*"IT*IS*QUITE*A*PRETTY*LITTLE*PROBLEM,"*SAID*HE.
"BUT*A*VERY*SERIOUS*ONE*TO*ME,"*RETURNED*THE*KING*REPROACHFULLY.
"VERY,*INDEED.*AND*WHAT*DOES*SHE*PROPOSE*TO*DO*WITH*THE*PHOTOGRAPH?"
"TO*RUIN*ME."
"BUT*HOW?"
"I*AM*ABOUT*TO*BE*MARRIED."
"SO*I*HAVE*HEARD."
"TO*CLOTILDE*LOTHMAN*VON*SAXE-MENINGEN,*SECOND*DAUGHTER*OF*THE*KING*OF*SCANDINAVIA.*YOU*MAY*KNOW*THE*STRICT*PRINCIPLES*OF*HER*FAMILY.*SHE*IS*HERSELF*THE*VERY*SOUL*OF*DELICACY.*A*SHADOW*OF*A*DOUBT*AS*TO*MY*CONDUCT*WOULD*BRING*THE*MATTER*TO*AN*END."
"AND*IRENE*ADLER?"
"THREATENS*TO*SEND*THEM*THE*PHOTOGRAPH.*AND*SHE*WILL*DO*IT.*I*KNOW*THAT*SHE*WILL*DO*IT.*YOU*DO*NOT*KNOW*HER,*BUT*SHE*HAS*A*SOUL*OF*STEEL.*SHE*HAS*THE*FACE*OF*THE*MOST*BEAUTIFUL*OF*WOMEN,*AND*THE*MIND*OF*THE*MOST*RESOLUTE*OF*MEN.*RATHER*THAN*I*SHOULD*MARRY*ANOTHER*WOMAN,*THERE*ARE*NO*LENGTHS*TO*WHICH*SHE*WOULD*NOT*GO--NONE."
"YOU*ARE*SURE*THAT*SHE*HAS*NOT*SENT*IT*YET?"
"I*AM*SURE."
"AND*WHY?"
"BECAUSE*SHE*HAS*SAID*THAT*SHE*WOULD*SEND*IT*ON*THE*DAY*WHEN*THE*BETROTHAL*WAS*PUBLICLY*PROCLAIMED.*THAT*WILL*BE*NEXT*MONDAY."
"OH,*THEN*WE*HAVE*THREE*DAYS*YET,"*SAID*HOLMES*WITH*A*YAWN.*"THAT*IS*VERY*FORTUNATE,*AS*I*HAVE*ONE*OR*TWO*MATTERS*OF*IMPORTANCE*TO*LOOK*INTO*JUST*AT*PRESENT.*YOUR*MAJESTY*WILL,*OF*COURSE,*STAY*IN*LONDON*FOR*THE*PRESENT?"
"CERTAINLY.*YOU*WILL*FIND*ME*AT*THE*LANGHAM*UNDER*THE*NAME*OF*THE*COUNT*VON*KRAMM."
"THEN*I*SHALL*DROP*YOU*A*LINE*TO*LET*YOU*KNOW*HOW*WE*PROGRESS."
"PRAY*DO*SO.*I*SHALL*BE*ALL*ANXIETY."
"THEN,*AS*TO*MONEY?"
"YOU*HAVE*CARTE*BLANCHE."
"ABSOLUTELY?"
"I*TELL*YOU*THAT*I*WOULD*GIVE*ONE*OF*THE*PROVINCES*OF*MY*KINGDOM*TO*HAVE*THAT*PHOTOGRAPH."
"AND*FOR*PRESENT*EXPENSES?"
THE*KING*TOOK*A*HEAVY*CHAMOIS*LEATHER*BAG*FROM*UNDER*HIS*CLOAK*AND*LAID*IT*ON*THE*TABLE.
"THERE*ARE*THREE*HUNDRED*POUNDS*IN*GOLD*AND*SEVEN*HUNDRED*IN*NOTES,"*HE*SAID.
HOLMES*SCRIBBLED*A*RECEIPT*UPON*A*SHEET*OF*HIS*NOTE-BOOK*AND*HANDED*IT*TO*HIM.
"AND*MADEMOISELLE'S*ADDRESS?"*HE*ASKED.
"IS*BRIONY*LODGE,*SERPENTINE*AVENUE,*ST.*JOHN'S*WOOD."
HOLMES*TOOK*A*NOTE*OF*IT.*"ONE*OTHER*QUESTION,"*SAID*HE.*"WAS*THE*PHOTOGRAPH*A*CABINET?"
"IT*WAS."
"THEN,*GOOD-NIGHT,*YOUR*MAJESTY,*AND*I*TRUST*THAT*WE*SHALL*SOON*HAVE*SOME*GOOD*NEWS*FOR*YOU.*AND*GOOD-NIGHT,*WATSON,"*HE*ADDED,*AS*THE*WHEELS*OF*THE*ROYAL*BROUGHAM*ROLLED*DOWN*THE*STREET.*"IF*YOU*WILL*BE*GOOD*ENOUGH*TO*CALL*TO-MORROW*AFTERNOON*AT*THREE*O'CLOCK*I*SHOULD*LIKE*TO*CHAT*THIS*LITTLE*MATTER*OVER*WITH*YOU."
II.
AT*THREE*O'CLOCK*PRECISELY*I*WAS*AT*BAKER*STREET,*BUT*HOLMES*HAD*NOT*YET*RETURNED.*THE*LANDLADY*INFORMED*ME*THAT*HE*HAD*LEFT*THE*HOUSE*SHORTLY*AFTER*EIGHT*O'CLOCK*IN*THE*MORNING.*I*SAT*DOWN*BESIDE*THE*FIRE,*HOWEVER,*WITH*THE*INTENTION*OF*AWAITING*HIM,*HOWEVER*LONG*HE*MIGHT*BE.*I*WAS*ALREADY*DEEPLY*INTERESTED*IN*HIS*INQUIRY,*FOR,*THOUGH*IT*WAS*SURROUNDED*BY*NONE*OF*THE*GRIM*AND*STRANGE*FEATURES*WHICH*WERE*ASSOCIATED*WITH*THE*TWO*CRIMES*WHICH*I*HAVE*ALREADY*RECORDED,*STILL,*THE*NATURE*OF*THE*CASE*AND*THE*EXALTED*STATION*OF*HIS*CLIENT*GAVE*IT*A*CHARACTER*OF*ITS*OWN.*INDEED,*APART*FROM*THE*NATURE*OF*THE*INVESTIGATION*WHICH*MY*FRIEND*HAD*ON*HAND,*THERE*WAS*SOMETHING*IN*HIS*MASTERLY*GRASP*OF*A*SITUATION,*AND*HIS*KEEN,*INCISIVE*REASONING,*WHICH*MADE*IT*A*PLEASURE*TO*ME*TO*STUDY*HIS*SYSTEM*OF*WORK,*AND*TO*FOLLOW*THE*QUICK,*SUBTLE*METHODS*BY*WHICH*HE*DISENTANGLED*THE*MOST*INEXTRICABLE*MYSTERIES.*SO*ACCUSTOMED*WAS*I*TO*HIS*INVARIABLE*SUCCESS*THAT*THE*VERY*POSSIBILITY*OF*HIS*FAILING*HAD*CEASED*TO*ENTER*INTO*MY*HEAD.
IT*WAS*CLOSE*UPON*FOUR*BEFORE*THE*DOOR*OPENED,*AND*A*DRUNKEN-LOOKING*GROOM,*ILL-KEMPT*AND*SIDE-WHISKERED,*WITH*AN*INFLAMED*FACE*AND*DISREPUTABLE*CLOTHES,*WALKED*INTO*THE*ROOM.*ACCUSTOMED*AS*I*WAS*TO*MY*FRIEND'S*AMAZING*POWERS*IN*THE*USE*OF*DISGUISES,*I*HAD*TO*LOOK*THREE*TIMES*BEFORE*I*WAS*CERTAIN*THAT*IT*WAS*INDEED*HE.*WITH*A*NOD*HE*VANISHED*INTO*THE*BEDROOM,*WHENCE*HE*EMERGED*IN*FIVE*MINUTES*TWEED-SUITED*AND*RESPECTABLE,*AS*OF*OLD.*PUTTING*HIS*HANDS*INTO*HIS*POCKETS,*HE*STRETCHED*OUT*HIS*LEGS*IN*FRONT*OF*THE*FIRE*AND*LAUGHED*HEARTILY*FOR*SOME*MINUTES.
"WELL,*REALLY!"*HE*CRIED,*AND*THEN*HE*CHOKED*AND*LAUGHED*AGAIN*UNTIL*HE*WAS*OBLIGED*TO*LIE*BACK,*LIMP*AND*HELPLESS,*IN*THE*CHAIR.
"WHAT*IS*IT?"
"IT'S*QUITE*TOO*FUNNY.*I*AM*SURE*YOU*COULD*NEVER*GUESS*HOW*I*EMPLOYED*MY*MORNING,*OR*WHAT*I*ENDED*BY*DOING."
"I*CAN'T*IMAGINE.*I*SUPPOSE*THAT*YOU*HAVE*BEEN*WATCHING*THE*HABITS,*AND*PERHAPS*THE*HOUSE,*OF*MISS*IRENE*ADLER."
"QUITE*SO;*BUT*THE*SEQUEL*WAS*RATHER*UNUSUAL.*I*WILL*TELL*YOU,*HOWEVER.*I*LEFT*THE*HOUSE*A*LITTLE*AFTER*EIGHT*O'CLOCK*THIS*MORNING*IN*THE*CHARACTER*OF*A*GROOM*OUT*OF*WORK.*THERE*IS*A*WONDERFUL*SYMPATHY*AND*FREEMASONRY*AMONG*HORSEY*MEN.*BE*ONE*OF*THEM,*AND*YOU*WILL*KNOW*ALL*THAT*THERE*IS*TO*KNOW.*I*SOON*FOUND*BRIONY*LODGE.*IT*IS*A*BIJOU*VILLA,*WITH*A*GARDEN*AT*THE*BACK,*BUT*BUILT*OUT*IN*FRONT*RIGHT*UP*TO*THE*ROAD,*TWO*STORIES.*CHUBB*LOCK*TO*THE*DOOR.*LARGE*SITTING-ROOM*ON*THE*RIGHT*SIDE,*WELL*FURNISHED,*WITH*LONG*WINDOWS*ALMOST*TO*THE*FLOOR,*AND*THOSE*PREPOSTEROUS*ENGLISH*WINDOW*FASTENERS*WHICH*A*CHILD*COULD*OPEN.*BEHIND*THERE*WAS*NOTHING*REMARKABLE,*SAVE*THAT*THE*PASSAGE*WINDOW*COULD*BE*REACHED*FROM*THE*TOP*OF*THE*COACH-HOUSE.*I*WALKED*ROUND*IT*AND*EXAMINED*IT*CLOSELY*FROM*EVERY*POINT*OF*VIEW,*BUT*WITHOUT*NOTING*ANYTHING*ELSE*OF*INTEREST.
"I*THEN*LOUNGED*DOWN*THE*STREET*AND*FOUND,*AS*I*EXPECTED,*THAT*THERE*WAS*A*MEWS*IN*A*LANE*WHICH*RUNS*DOWN*BY*ONE*WALL*OF*THE*GARDEN.*I*LENT*THE*OSTLERS*A*HAND*IN*RUBBING*DOWN*THEIR*HORSES,*AND*RECEIVED*IN*EXCHANGE*TWOPENCE,*A*GLASS*OF*HALF-AND-HALF,*TWO*FILLS*OF*SHAG*TOBACCO,*AND*AS*MUCH*INFORMATION*AS*I*COULD*DESIRE*ABOUT*MISS*ADLER,*TO*SAY*NOTHING*OF*HALF*A*DOZEN*OTHER*PEOPLE*IN*THE*NEIGHBOURHOOD*IN*WHOM*I*WAS*NOT*IN*THE*LEAST*INTERESTED,*BUT*WHOSE*BIOGRAPHIES*I*WAS*COMPELLED*TO*LISTEN*TO."
"AND*WHAT*OF*IRENE*ADLER?"*I*ASKED.
"OH,*SHE*HAS*TURNED*ALL*THE*MEN'S*HEADS*DOWN*IN*THAT*PART.*SHE*IS*THE*DAINTIEST*THING*UNDER*A*BONNET*ON*THIS*PLANET.*SO*SAY*THE*SERPENTINE-MEWS,*TO*A*MAN.*SHE*LIVES*QUIETLY,*SINGS*AT*CONCERTS,*DRIVES*OUT*AT*FIVE*EVERY*DAY,*AND*RETURNS*AT*SEVEN*SHARP*FOR*DINNER.*SELDOM*GOES*OUT*AT*OTHER*TIMES,*EXCEPT*WHEN*SHE*SINGS.*HAS*ONLY*ONE*MALE*VISITOR,*BUT*A*GOOD*DEAL*OF*HIM.*HE*IS*DARK,*HANDSOME,*AND*DASHING,*NEVER*CALLS*LESS*THAN*ONCE*A*DAY,*AND*OFTEN*TWICE.*HE*IS*A*MR.*GODFREY*NORTON,*OF*THE*INNER*TEMPLE.*SEE*THE*ADVANTAGES*OF*A*CABMAN*AS*A*CONFIDANT.*THEY*HAD*DRIVEN*HIM*HOME*A*DOZEN*TIMES*FROM*SERPENTINE-MEWS,*AND*KNEW*ALL*ABOUT*HIM.*WHEN*I*HAD*LISTENED*TO*ALL*THEY*HAD*TO*TELL,*I*BEGAN*TO*WALK*UP*AND*DOWN*NEAR*BRIONY*LODGE*ONCE*MORE,*AND*TO*THINK*OVER*MY*PLAN*OF*CAMPAIGN.
"THIS*GODFREY*NORTON*WAS*EVIDENTLY*AN*IMPORTANT*FACTOR*IN*THE*MATTER.*HE*WAS*A*LAWYER.*THAT*SOUNDED*OMINOUS.*WHAT*WAS*THE*RELATION*BETWEEN*THEM,*AND*WHAT*THE*OBJECT*OF*HIS*REPEATED*VISITS?*WAS*SHE*HIS*CLIENT,*HIS*FRIEND,*OR*HIS*MISTRESS?*IF*THE*FORMER,*SHE*HAD*PROBABLY*TRANSFERRED*THE*PHOTOGRAPH*TO*HIS*KEEPING.*IF*THE*LATTER,*IT*WAS*LESS*LIKELY.*ON*THE*ISSUE*OF*THIS*QUESTION*DEPENDED*WHETHER*I*SHOULD*CONTINUE*MY*WORK*AT*BRIONY*LODGE,*OR*TURN*MY*ATTENTION*TO*THE*GENTLEMAN'S*CHAMBERS*IN*THE*TEMPLE.*IT*WAS*A*DELICATE*POINT,*AND*IT*WIDENED*THE*FIELD*OF*MY*INQUIRY.*I*FEAR*THAT*I*BORE*YOU*WITH*THESE*DETAILS,*BUT*I*HAVE*TO*LET*YOU*SEE*MY*LITTLE*DIFFICULTIES,*IF*YOU*ARE*TO*UNDERSTAND*THE*SITUATION."
"I*AM*FOLLOWING*YOU*CLOSELY,"*I*ANSWERED.
"I*WAS*STILL*BALANCING*THE*MATTER*IN*MY*MIND*WHEN*A*HANSOM*CAB*DROVE*UP*TO*BRIONY*LODGE,*AND*A*GENTLEMAN*SPRANG*OUT.*HE*WAS*A*REMARKABLY*HANDSOME*MAN,*DARK,*AQUILINE,*AND*MOUSTACHED--EVIDENTLY*THE*MAN*OF*WHOM*I*HAD*HEARD.*HE*APPEARED*TO*BE*IN*A*GREAT*HURRY,*SHOUTED*TO*THE*CABMAN*TO*WAIT,*AND*BRUSHED*PAST*THE*MAID*WHO*OPENED*THE*DOOR*WITH*THE*AIR*OF*A*MAN*WHO*WAS*THOROUGHLY*AT*HOME.
"HE*WAS*IN*THE*HOUSE*ABOUT*HALF*AN*HOUR,*AND*I*COULD*CATCH*GLIMPSES*OF*HIM*IN*THE*WINDOWS*OF*THE*SITTING-ROOM,*PACING*UP*AND*DOWN,*TALKING*EXCITEDLY,*AND*WAVING*HIS*ARMS.*OF*HER*I*COULD*SEE*NOTHING.*PRESENTLY*HE*EMERGED,*LOOKING*EVEN*MORE*FLURRIED*THAN*BEFORE.*AS*HE*STEPPED*UP*TO*THE*CAB,*HE*PULLED*A*GOLD*WATCH*FROM*HIS*POCKET*AND*LOOKED*AT*IT*EARNESTLY,*'DRIVE*LIKE*THE*DEVIL,'*HE*SHOUTED,*'FIRST*TO*GROSS*&*HANKEY'S*IN*REGENT*STREET,*AND*THEN*TO*THE*CHURCH*OF*ST.*MONICA*IN*THE*EDGEWARE*ROAD.*HALF*A*GUINEA*IF*YOU*DO*IT*IN*TWENTY*MINUTES!'
"AWAY*THEY*WENT,*AND*I*WAS*JUST*WONDERING*WHETHER*I*SHOULD*NOT*DO*WELL*TO*FOLLOW*THEM*WHEN*UP*THE*LANE*CAME*A*NEAT*LITTLE*LANDAU,*THE*COACHMAN*WITH*HIS*COAT*ONLY*HALF-BUTTONED,*AND*HIS*TIE*UNDER*HIS*EAR,*WHILE*ALL*THE*TAGS*OF*HIS*HARNESS*WERE*STICKING*OUT*OF*THE*BUCKLES.*IT*HADN'T*PULLED*UP*BEFORE*SHE*SHOT*OUT*OF*THE*HALL*DOOR*AND*INTO*IT.*I*ONLY*CAUGHT*A*GLIMPSE*OF*HER*AT*THE*MOMENT,*BUT*SHE*WAS*A*LOVELY*WOMAN,*WITH*A*FACE*THAT*A*MAN*MIGHT*DIE*FOR.
"*'THE*CHURCH*OF*ST.*MONICA,*JOHN,'*SHE*CRIED,*'AND*HALF*A*SOVEREIGN*IF*YOU*REACH*IT*IN*TWENTY*MINUTES.'
"THIS*WAS*QUITE*TOO*GOOD*TO*LOSE,*WATSON.*I*WAS*JUST*BALANCING*WHETHER*I*SHOULD*RUN*FOR*IT,*OR*WHETHER*I*SHOULD*PERCH*BEHIND*HER*LANDAU*WHEN*A*CAB*CAME*THROUGH*THE*STREET.*THE*DRIVER*LOOKED*TWICE*AT*SUCH*A*SHABBY*FARE,*BUT*I*JUMPED*IN*BEFORE*HE*COULD*OBJECT.*'THE*CHURCH*OF*ST.*MONICA,'*SAID*I,*'AND*HALF*A*SOVEREIGN*IF*YOU*REACH*IT*IN*TWENTY*MINUTES.'*IT*WAS*TWENTY-FIVE*MINUTES*TO*TWELVE,*AND*OF*COURSE*IT*WAS*CLEAR*ENOUGH*WHAT*WAS*IN*THE*WIND.
"MY*CABBY*DROVE*FAST.*I*DON'T*THINK*I*EVER*DROVE*FASTER,*BUT*THE*OTHERS*WERE*THERE*BEFORE*US.*THE*CAB*AND*THE*LANDAU*WITH*THEIR*STEAMING*HORSES*WERE*IN*FRONT*OF*THE*DOOR*WHEN*I*ARRIVED.*I*PAID*THE*MAN*AND*HURRIED*INTO*THE*CHURCH.*THERE*WAS*NOT*A*SOUL*THERE*SAVE*THE*TWO*WHOM*I*HAD*FOLLOWED*AND*A*SURPLICED*CLERGYMAN,*WHO*SEEMED*TO*BE*EXPOSTULATING*WITH*THEM.*THEY*WERE*ALL*THREE*STANDING*IN*A*KNOT*IN*FRONT*OF*THE*ALTAR.*I*LOUNGED*UP*THE*SIDE*AISLE*LIKE*ANY*OTHER*IDLER*WHO*HAS*DROPPED*INTO*A*CHURCH.*SUDDENLY,*TO*MY*SURPRISE,*THE*THREE*AT*THE*ALTAR*FACED*ROUND*TO*ME,*AND*GODFREY*NORTON*CAME*RUNNING*AS*HARD*AS*HE*COULD*TOWARDS*ME.
"*'THANK*GOD,'*HE*CRIED.*'YOU'LL*DO.*COME!*COME!'
"*'WHAT*THEN?'*I*ASKED.
"*'COME,*MAN,*COME,*ONLY*THREE*MINUTES,*OR*IT*WON'T*BE*LEGAL.'
"I*WAS*HALF-DRAGGED*UP*TO*THE*ALTAR,*AND*BEFORE*I*KNEW*WHERE*I*WAS*I*FOUND*MYSELF*MUMBLING*RESPONSES*WHICH*WERE*WHISPERED*IN*MY*EAR,*AND*VOUCHING*FOR*THINGS*OF*WHICH*I*KNEW*NOTHING,*AND*GENERALLY*ASSISTING*IN*THE*SECURE*TYING*UP*OF*IRENE*ADLER,*SPINSTER,*TO*GODFREY*NORTON,*BACHELOR.*IT*WAS*ALL*DONE*IN*AN*INSTANT,*AND*THERE*WAS*THE*GENTLEMAN*THANKING*ME*ON*THE*ONE*SIDE*AND*THE*LADY*ON*THE*OTHER,*WHILE*THE*CLERGYMAN*BEAMED*ON*ME*IN*FRONT.*IT*WAS*THE*MOST*PREPOSTEROUS*POSITION*IN*WHICH*I*EVER*FOUND*MYSELF*IN*MY*LIFE,*AND*IT*WAS*THE*THOUGHT*OF*IT*THAT*STARTED*ME*LAUGHING*JUST*NOW.*IT*SEEMS*THAT*THERE*HAD*BEEN*SOME*INFORMALITY*ABOUT*THEIR*LICENSE,*THAT*THE*CLERGYMAN*ABSOLUTELY*REFUSED*TO*MARRY*THEM*WITHOUT*A*WITNESS*OF*SOME*SORT,*AND*THAT*MY*LUCKY*APPEARANCE*SAVED*THE*BRIDEGROOM*FROM*HAVING*TO*SALLY*OUT*INTO*THE*STREETS*IN*SEARCH*OF*A*BEST*MAN.*THE*BRIDE*GAVE*ME*A*SOVEREIGN,*AND*I*MEAN*TO*WEAR*IT*ON*MY*WATCH*CHAIN*IN*MEMORY*OF*THE*OCCASION."
"THIS*IS*A*VERY*UNEXPECTED*TURN*OF*AFFAIRS,"*SAID*I;*"AND*WHAT*THEN?"
"WELL,*I*FOUND*MY*PLANS*VERY*SERIOUSLY*MENACED.*IT*LOOKED*AS*IF*THE*PAIR*MIGHT*TAKE*AN*IMMEDIATE*DEPARTURE,*AND*SO*NECESSITATE*VERY*PROMPT*AND*ENERGETIC*MEASURES*ON*MY*PART.*AT*THE*CHURCH*DOOR,*HOWEVER,*THEY*SEPARATED,*HE*DRIVING*BACK*TO*THE*TEMPLE,*AND*SHE*TO*HER*OWN*HOUSE.*'I*SHALL*DRIVE*OUT*IN*THE*PARK*AT*FIVE*AS*USUAL,'*SHE*SAID*AS*SHE*LEFT*HIM.*I*HEARD*NO*MORE.*THEY*DROVE*AWAY*IN*DIFFERENT*DIRECTIONS,*AND*I*WENT*OFF*TO*MAKE*MY*OWN*ARRANGEMENTS."
"WHICH*ARE?"
"SOME*COLD*BEEF*AND*A*GLASS*OF*BEER,"*HE*ANSWERED,*RINGING*THE*BELL.*"I*HAVE*BEEN*TOO*BUSY*TO*THINK*OF*FOOD,*AND*I*AM*LIKELY*TO*BE*BUSIER*STILL*THIS*EVENING.*BY*THE*WAY,*DOCTOR,*I*SHALL*WANT*YOUR*CO-OPERATION."
"I*SHALL*BE*DELIGHTED."
"YOU*DON'T*MIND*BREAKING*THE*LAW?"
"NOT*IN*THE*LEAST."
"NOR*RUNNING*A*CHANCE*OF*ARREST?"
"NOT*IN*A*GOOD*CAUSE."
"OH,*THE*CAUSE*IS*EXCELLENT!"
"THEN*I*AM*YOUR*MAN."
"I*WAS*SURE*THAT*I*MIGHT*RELY*ON*YOU."
"BUT*WHAT*IS*IT*YOU*WISH?"
"WHEN*MRS.*TURNER*HAS*BROUGHT*IN*THE*TRAY*I*WILL*MAKE*IT*CLEAR*TO*YOU.*NOW,"*HE*SAID*AS*HE*TURNED*HUNGRILY*ON*THE*SIMPLE*FARE*THAT*OUR*LANDLADY*HAD*PROVIDED,*"I*MUST*DISCUSS*IT*WHILE*I*EAT,*FOR*I*HAVE*NOT*MUCH*TIME.*IT*IS*NEARLY*FIVE*NOW.*IN*TWO*HOURS*WE*MUST*BE*ON*THE*SCENE*OF*ACTION.*MISS*IRENE,*OR*MADAME,*RATHER,*RETURNS*FROM*HER*DRIVE*AT*SEVEN.*WE*MUST*BE*AT*BRIONY*LODGE*TO*MEET*HER."
"AND*WHAT*THEN?"
"YOU*MUST*LEAVE*THAT*TO*ME.*I*HAVE*ALREADY*ARRANGED*WHAT*IS*TO*OCCUR.*THERE*IS*ONLY*ONE*POINT*ON*WHICH*I*MUST*INSIST.*YOU*MUST*NOT*INTERFERE,*COME*WHAT*MAY.*YOU*UNDERSTAND?"
"I*AM*TO*BE*NEUTRAL?"
"TO*DO*NOTHING*WHATEVER.*THERE*WILL*PROBABLY*BE*SOME*SMALL*UNPLEASANTNESS.*DO*NOT*JOIN*IN*IT.*IT*WILL*END*IN*MY*BEING*CONVEYED*INTO*THE*HOUSE.*FOUR*OR*FIVE*MINUTES*AFTERWARDS*THE*SITTING-ROOM*WINDOW*WILL*OPEN.*YOU*ARE*TO*STATION*YOURSELF*CLOSE*TO*THAT*OPEN*WINDOW."
"YES."
"YOU*ARE*TO*WATCH*ME,*FOR*I*WILL*BE*VISIBLE*TO*YOU."
"YES."
"AND*WHEN*I*RAISE*MY*HAND--SO--YOU*WILL*THROW*INTO*THE*ROOM*WHAT*I*GIVE*YOU*TO*THROW,*AND*WILL,*AT*THE*SAME*TIME,*RAISE*THE*CRY*OF*FIRE.*YOU*QUITE*FOLLOW*ME?"
"ENTIRELY."
"IT*IS*NOTHING*VERY*FORMIDABLE,"*HE*SAID,*TAKING*A*LONG*CIGAR-SHAPED*ROLL*FROM*HIS*POCKET.*"IT*IS*AN*ORDINARY*PLUMBER'S*SMOKE-ROCKET,*FITTED*WITH*A*CAP*AT*EITHER*END*TO*MAKE*IT*SELF-LIGHTING.*YOUR*TASK*IS*CONFINED*TO*THAT.*WHEN*YOU*RAISE*YOUR*CRY*OF*FIRE,*IT*WILL*BE*TAKEN*UP*BY*QUITE*A*NUMBER*OF*PEOPLE.*YOU*MAY*THEN*WALK*TO*THE*END*OF*THE*STREET,*AND*I*WILL*REJOIN*YOU*IN*TEN*MINUTES.*I*HOPE*THAT*I*HAVE*MADE*MYSELF*CLEAR?"
"I*AM*TO*REMAIN*NEUTRAL,*TO*GET*NEAR*THE*WINDOW,*TO*WATCH*YOU,*AND*AT*THE*SIGNAL*TO*THROW*IN*THIS*OBJECT,*THEN*TO*RAISE*THE*CRY*OF*FIRE,*AND*TO*WAIT*YOU*AT*THE*CORNER*OF*THE*STREET."
"PRECISELY."
"THEN*YOU*MAY*ENTIRELY*RELY*ON*ME."
"THAT*IS*EXCELLENT.*I*THINK,*PERHAPS,*IT*IS*ALMOST*TIME*THAT*I*PREPARE*FOR*THE*NEW*ROLE*I*HAVE*TO*PLAY."
HE*DISAPPEARED*INTO*HIS*BEDROOM*AND*RETURNED*IN*A*FEW*MINUTES*IN*THE*CHARACTER*OF*AN*AMIABLE*AND*SIMPLE-MINDED*NONCONFORMIST*CLERGYMAN.*HIS*BROAD*BLACK*HAT,*HIS*BAGGY*TROUSERS,*HIS*WHITE*TIE,*HIS*SYMPATHETIC*SMILE,*AND*GENERAL*LOOK*OF*PEERING*AND*BENEVOLENT*CURIOSITY*WERE*SUCH*AS*MR.*JOHN*HARE*ALONE*COULD*HAVE*EQUALLED.*IT*WAS*NOT*MERELY*THAT*HOLMES*CHANGED*HIS*COSTUME.*HIS*EXPRESSION,*HIS*MANNER,*HIS*VERY*SOUL*SEEMED*TO*VARY*WITH*EVERY*FRESH*PART*THAT*HE*ASSUMED.*THE*STAGE*LOST*A*FINE*ACTOR,*EVEN*AS*SCIENCE*LOST*AN*ACUTE*REASONER,*WHEN*HE*BECAME*A*SPECIALIST*IN*CRIME.
IT*WAS*A*QUARTER*PAST*SIX*WHEN*WE*LEFT*BAKER*STREET,*AND*IT*STILL*WANTED*TEN*MINUTES*TO*THE*HOUR*WHEN*WE*FOUND*OURSELVES*IN*SERPENTINE*AVENUE.*IT*WAS*ALREADY*DUSK,*AND*THE*LAMPS*WERE*JUST*BEING*LIGHTED*AS*WE*PACED*UP*AND*DOWN*IN*FRONT*OF*BRIONY*LODGE,*WAITING*FOR*THE*COMING*OF*ITS*OCCUPANT.*THE*HOUSE*WAS*JUST*SUCH*AS*I*HAD*PICTURED*IT*FROM*SHERLOCK*HOLMES'*SUCCINCT*DESCRIPTION,*BUT*THE*LOCALITY*APPEARED*TO*BE*LESS*PRIVATE*THAN*I*EXPECTED.*ON*THE*CONTRARY,*FOR*A*SMALL*STREET*IN*A*QUIET*NEIGHBOURHOOD,*IT*WAS*REMARKABLY*ANIMATED.*THERE*WAS*A*GROUP*OF*SHABBILY*DRESSED*MEN*SMOKING*AND*LAUGHING*IN*A*CORNER,*A*SCISSORS-GRINDER*WITH*HIS*WHEEL,*TWO*GUARDSMEN*WHO*WERE*FLIRTING*WITH*A*NURSE-GIRL,*AND*SEVERAL*WELL-DRESSED*YOUNG*MEN*WHO*WERE*LOUNGING*UP*AND*DOWN*WITH*CIGARS*IN*THEIR*MOUTHS.
"YOU*SEE,"*REMARKED*HOLMES,*AS*WE*PACED*TO*AND*FRO*IN*FRONT*OF*THE*HOUSE,*"THIS*MARRIAGE*RATHER*SIMPLIFIES*MATTERS.*THE*PHOTOGRAPH*BECOMES*A*DOUBLE-EDGED*WEAPON*NOW.*THE*CHANCES*ARE*THAT*SHE*WOULD*BE*AS*AVERSE*TO*ITS*BEING*SEEN*BY*MR.*GODFREY*NORTON,*AS*OUR*CLIENT*IS*TO*ITS*COMING*TO*THE*EYES*OF*HIS*PRINCESS.*NOW*THE*QUESTION*IS,*WHERE*ARE*WE*TO*FIND*THE*PHOTOGRAPH?"
"WHERE,*INDEED?"
"IT*IS*MOST*UNLIKELY*THAT*SHE*CARRIES*IT*ABOUT*WITH*HER.*IT*IS*CABINET*SIZE.*TOO*LARGE*FOR*EASY*CONCEALMENT*ABOUT*A*WOMAN'S*DRESS.*SHE*KNOWS*THAT*THE*KING*IS*CAPABLE*OF*HAVING*HER*WAYLAID*AND*SEARCHED.*TWO*ATTEMPTS*OF*THE*SORT*HAVE*ALREADY*BEEN*MADE.*WE*MAY*TAKE*IT,*THEN,*THAT*SHE*DOES*NOT*CARRY*IT*ABOUT*WITH*HER."
"WHERE,*THEN?"
"HER*BANKER*OR*HER*LAWYER.*THERE*IS*THAT*DOUBLE*POSSIBILITY.*BUT*I*AM*INCLINED*TO*THINK*NEITHER.*WOMEN*ARE*NATURALLY*SECRETIVE,*AND*THEY*LIKE*TO*DO*THEIR*OWN*SECRETING.*WHY*SHOULD*SHE*HAND*IT*OVER*TO*ANYONE*ELSE?*SHE*COULD*TRUST*HER*OWN*GUARDIANSHIP,*BUT*SHE*COULD*NOT*TELL*WHAT*INDIRECT*OR*POLITICAL*INFLUENCE*MIGHT*BE*BROUGHT*TO*BEAR*UPON*A*BUSINESS*MAN.*BESIDES,*REMEMBER*THAT*SHE*HAD*RESOLVED*TO*USE*IT*WITHIN*A*FEW*DAYS.*IT*MUST*BE*WHERE*SHE*CAN*LAY*HER*HANDS*UPON*IT.*IT*MUST*BE*IN*HER*OWN*HOUSE."
"BUT*IT*HAS*TWICE*BEEN*BURGLED."
"PSHAW!*THEY*DID*NOT*KNOW*HOW*TO*LOOK."
"BUT*HOW*WILL*YOU*LOOK?"
"I*WILL*NOT*LOOK."
"WHAT*THEN?"
"I*WILL*GET*HER*TO*SHOW*ME."
"BUT*SHE*WILL*REFUSE."
"SHE*WILL*NOT*BE*ABLE*TO.*BUT*I*HEAR*THE*RUMBLE*OF*WHEELS.*IT*IS*HER*CARRIAGE.*NOW*CARRY*OUT*MY*ORDERS*TO*THE*LETTER."
"IS*THE*POOR*GENTLEMAN*MUCH*HURT?"*SHE*ASKED.
"HE*IS*DEAD,"*CRIED*SEVERAL*VOICES.
"NO,*NO,*THERE'S*LIFE*IN*HIM!"*SHOUTED*ANOTHER.*"BUT*HE'LL*BE*GONE*BEFORE*YOU*CAN*GET*HIM*TO*HOSPITAL."
"HE'S*A*BRAVE*FELLOW,"*SAID*A*WOMAN.*"THEY*WOULD*HAVE*HAD*THE*LADY'S*PURSE*AND*WATCH*IF*IT*HADN'T*BEEN*FOR*HIM.*THEY*WERE*A*GANG,*AND*A*ROUGH*ONE,*TOO.*AH,*HE'S*BREATHING*NOW."
"HE*CAN'T*LIE*IN*THE*STREET.*MAY*WE*BRING*HIM*IN,*MARM?"
"SURELY.*BRING*HIM*INTO*THE*SITTING-ROOM.*THERE*IS*A*COMFORTABLE*SOFA.*THIS*WAY,*PLEASE!"
SLOWLY*AND*SOLEMNLY*HE*WAS*BORNE*INTO*BRIONY*LODGE*AND*LAID*OUT*IN*THE*PRINCIPAL*ROOM,*WHILE*I*STILL*OBSERVED*THE*PROCEEDINGS*FROM*MY*POST*BY*THE*WINDOW.*THE*LAMPS*HAD*BEEN*LIT,*BUT*THE*BLINDS*HAD*NOT*BEEN*DRAWN,*SO*THAT*I*COULD*SEE*HOLMES*AS*HE*LAY*UPON*THE*COUCH.*I*DO*NOT*KNOW*WHETHER*HE*WAS*SEIZED*WITH*COMPUNCTION*AT*THAT*MOMENT*FOR*THE*PART*HE*WAS*PLAYING,*BUT*I*KNOW*THAT*I*NEVER*FELT*MORE*HEARTILY*ASHAMED*OF*MYSELF*IN*MY*LIFE*THAN*WHEN*I*SAW*THE*BEAUTIFUL*CREATURE*AGAINST*WHOM*I*WAS*CONSPIRING,*OR*THE*GRACE*AND*KINDLINESS*WITH*WHICH*SHE*WAITED*UPON*THE*INJURED*MAN.*AND*YET*IT*WOULD*BE*THE*BLACKEST*TREACHERY*TO*HOLMES*TO*DRAW*BACK*NOW*FROM*THE*PART*WHICH*HE*HAD*INTRUSTED*TO*ME.*I*HARDENED*MY*HEART,*AND*TOOK*THE*SMOKE-ROCKET*FROM*UNDER*MY*ULSTER.*AFTER*ALL,*I*THOUGHT,*WE*ARE*NOT*INJURING*HER.*WE*ARE*BUT*PREVENTING*HER*FROM*INJURING*ANOTHER.
HOLMES*HAD*SAT*UP*UPON*THE*COUCH,*AND*I*SAW*HIM*MOTION*LIKE*A*MAN*WHO*IS*IN*NEED*OF*AIR.*A*MAID*RUSHED*ACROSS*AND*THREW*OPEN*THE*WINDOW.*AT*THE*SAME*INSTANT*I*SAW*HIM*RAISE*HIS*HAND*AND*AT*THE*SIGNAL*I*TOSSED*MY*ROCKET*INTO*THE*ROOM*WITH*A*CRY*OF*"FIRE!"*THE*WORD*WAS*NO*SOONER*OUT*OF*MY*MOUTH*THAN*THE*WHOLE*CROWD*OF*SPECTATORS,*WELL*DRESSED*AND*ILL--GENTLEMEN,*OSTLERS,*AND*SERVANT*MAIDS--JOINED*IN*A*GENERAL*SHRIEK*OF*"FIRE!"*THICK*CLOUDS*OF*SMOKE*CURLED*THROUGH*THE*ROOM*AND*OUT*AT*THE*OPEN*WINDOW.*I*CAUGHT*A*GLIMPSE*OF*RUSHING*FIGURES,*AND*A*MOMENT*LATER*THE*VOICE*OF*HOLMES*FROM*WITHIN*ASSURING*THEM*THAT*IT*WAS*A*FALSE*ALARM.*SLIPPING*THROUGH*THE*SHOUTING*CROWD*I*MADE*MY*WAY*TO*THE*CORNER*OF*THE*STREET,*AND*IN*TEN*MINUTES*WAS*REJOICED*TO*FIND*MY*FRIEND'S*ARM*IN*MINE,*AND*TO*GET*AWAY*FROM*THE*SCENE*OF*UPROAR.*HE*WALKED*SWIFTLY*AND*IN*SILENCE*FOR*SOME*FEW*MINUTES*UNTIL*WE*HAD*TURNED*DOWN*ONE*OF*THE*QUIET*STREETS*WHICH*LEAD*TOWARDS*THE*EDGEWARE*ROAD.
"YOU*DID*IT*VERY*NICELY,*DOCTOR,"*HE*REMARKED.*"NOTHING*COULD*HAVE*BEEN*BETTER.*IT*IS*ALL*RIGHT."
"YOU*HAVE*THE*PHOTOGRAPH?"
"I*KNOW*WHERE*IT*IS."
"AND*HOW*DID*YOU*FIND*OUT?"
"SHE*SHOWED*ME,*AS*I*TOLD*YOU*SHE*WOULD."
"I*AM*STILL*IN*THE*DARK."
"I*DO*NOT*WISH*TO*MAKE*A*MYSTERY,"*SAID*HE,*LAUGHING.*"THE*MATTER*WAS*PERFECTLY*SIMPLE.*YOU,*OF*COURSE,*SAW*THAT*EVERYONE*IN*THE*STREET*WAS*AN*ACCOMPLICE.*THEY*WERE*ALL*ENGAGED*FOR*THE*EVENING."
"I*GUESSED*AS*MUCH."
"THEN,*WHEN*THE*ROW*BROKE*OUT,*I*HAD*A*LITTLE*MOIST*RED*PAINT*IN*THE*PALM*OF*MY*HAND.*I*RUSHED*FORWARD,*FELL*DOWN,*CLAPPED*MY*HAND*TO*MY*FACE,*AND*BECAME*A*PITEOUS*SPECTACLE.*IT*IS*AN*OLD*TRICK."
"THAT*ALSO*I*COULD*FATHOM."
"THEN*THEY*CARRIED*ME*IN.*SHE*WAS*BOUND*TO*HAVE*ME*IN.*WHAT*ELSE*COULD*SHE*DO?*AND*INTO*HER*SITTING-ROOM,*WHICH*WAS*THE*VERY*ROOM*WHICH*I*SUSPECTED.*IT*LAY*BETWEEN*THAT*AND*HER*BEDROOM,*AND*I*WAS*DETERMINED*TO*SEE*WHICH.*THEY*LAID*ME*ON*A*COUCH,*I*MOTIONED*FOR*AIR,*THEY*WERE*COMPELLED*TO*OPEN*THE*WINDOW,*AND*YOU*HAD*YOUR*CHANCE."
"HOW*DID*THAT*HELP*YOU?"
"AND*NOW?"*I*ASKED.
"OUR*QUEST*IS*PRACTICALLY*FINISHED.*I*SHALL*CALL*WITH*THE*KING*TO-MORROW,*AND*WITH*YOU,*IF*YOU*CARE*TO*COME*WITH*US.*WE*WILL*BE*SHOWN*INTO*THE*SITTING-ROOM*TO*WAIT*FOR*THE*LADY,*BUT*IT*IS*PROBABLE*THAT*WHEN*SHE*COMES*SHE*MAY*FIND*NEITHER*US*NOR*THE*PHOTOGRAPH.*IT*MIGHT*BE*A*SATISFACTION*TO*HIS*MAJESTY*TO*REGAIN*IT*WITH*HIS*OWN*HANDS."
"AND*WHEN*WILL*YOU*CALL?"
"AT*EIGHT*IN*THE*MORNING.*SHE*WILL*NOT*BE*UP,*SO*THAT*WE*SHALL*HAVE*A*CLEAR*FIELD.*BESIDES,*WE*MUST*BE*PROMPT,*FOR*THIS*MARRIAGE*MAY*MEAN*A*COMPLETE*CHANGE*IN*HER*LIFE*AND*HABITS.*I*MUST*WIRE*TO*THE*KING*WITHOUT*DELAY."
WE*HAD*REACHED*BAKER*STREET*AND*HAD*STOPPED*AT*THE*DOOR.*HE*WAS*SEARCHING*HIS*POCKETS*FOR*THE*KEY*WHEN*SOMEONE*PASSING*SAID:
"GOOD-NIGHT,*MISTER*SHERLOCK*HOLMES."
THERE*WERE*SEVERAL*PEOPLE*ON*THE*PAVEMENT*AT*THE*TIME,*BUT*THE*GREETING*APPEARED*TO*COME*FROM*A*SLIM*YOUTH*IN*AN*ULSTER*WHO*HAD*HURRIED*BY.
"I'VE*HEARD*THAT*VOICE*BEFORE,"*SAID*HOLMES,*STARING*DOWN*THE*DIMLY*LIT*STREET.*"NOW,*I*WONDER*WHO*THE*DEUCE*THAT*COULD*HAVE*BEEN."
III.
I*SLEPT*AT*BAKER*STREET*THAT*NIGHT,*AND*WE*WERE*ENGAGED*UPON*OUR*TOAST*AND*COFFEE*IN*THE*MORNING*WHEN*THE*KING*OF*BOHEMIA*RUSHED*INTO*THE*ROOM.
"YOU*HAVE*REALLY*GOT*IT!"*HE*CRIED,*GRASPING*SHERLOCK*HOLMES*BY*EITHER*SHOULDER*AND*LOOKING*EAGERLY*INTO*HIS*FACE.
"NOT*YET."
"BUT*YOU*HAVE*HOPES?"
"I*HAVE*HOPES."
"THEN,*COME.*I*AM*ALL*IMPATIENCE*TO*BE*GONE."
"WE*MUST*HAVE*A*CAB."
"NO,*MY*BROUGHAM*IS*WAITING."
"THEN*THAT*WILL*SIMPLIFY*MATTERS."*WE*DESCENDED*AND*STARTED*OFF*ONCE*MORE*FOR*BRIONY*LODGE.
"IRENE*ADLER*IS*MARRIED,"*REMARKED*HOLMES.
"MARRIED!*WHEN?"
"YESTERDAY."
"BUT*TO*WHOM?"
"TO*AN*ENGLISH*LAWYER*NAMED*NORTON."
"BUT*SHE*COULD*NOT*LOVE*HIM."
"I*AM*IN*HOPES*THAT*SHE*DOES."
"AND*WHY*IN*HOPES?"
"BECAUSE*IT*WOULD*SPARE*YOUR*MAJESTY*ALL*FEAR*OF*FUTURE*ANNOYANCE.*IF*THE*LADY*LOVES*HER*HUSBAND,*SHE*DOES*NOT*LOVE*YOUR*MAJESTY.*IF*SHE*DOES*NOT*LOVE*YOUR*MAJESTY,*THERE*IS*NO*REASON*WHY*SHE*SHOULD*INTERFERE*WITH*YOUR*MAJESTY'S*PLAN."
"IT*IS*TRUE.*AND*YET--!*WELL!*I*WISH*SHE*HAD*BEEN*OF*MY*OWN*STATION!*WHAT*A*QUEEN*SHE*WOULD*HAVE*MADE!"*HE*RELAPSED*INTO*A*MOODY*SILENCE,*WHICH*WAS*NOT*BROKEN*UNTIL*WE*DREW*UP*IN*SERPENTINE*AVENUE.
THE*DOOR*OF*BRIONY*LODGE*WAS*OPEN,*AND*AN*ELDERLY*WOMAN*STOOD*UPON*THE*STEPS.*SHE*WATCHED*US*WITH*A*SARDONIC*EYE*AS*WE*STEPPED*FROM*THE*BROUGHAM.
"MR.*SHERLOCK*HOLMES,*I*BELIEVE?"*SAID*SHE.
"I*AM*MR.*HOLMES,"*ANSWERED*MY*COMPANION,*LOOKING*AT*HER*WITH*A*QUESTIONING*AND*RATHER*STARTLED*GAZE.
"INDEED!*MY*MISTRESS*TOLD*ME*THAT*YOU*WERE*LIKELY*TO*CALL.*SHE*LEFT*THIS*MORNING*WITH*HER*HUSBAND*BY*THE*5:15*TRAIN*FROM*CHARING*CROSS*FOR*THE*CONTINENT."
"WHAT!"*SHERLOCK*HOLMES*STAGGERED*BACK,*WHITE*WITH*CHAGRIN*AND*SURPRISE.*"DO*YOU*MEAN*THAT*SHE*HAS*LEFT*ENGLAND?"
"NEVER*TO*RETURN."
"AND*THE*PAPERS?"*ASKED*THE*KING*HOARSELY.*"ALL*IS*LOST."
"WE*SHALL*SEE."*HE*PUSHED*PAST*THE*SERVANT*AND*RUSHED*INTO*THE*DRAWING-ROOM,*FOLLOWED*BY*THE*KING*AND*MYSELF.*THE*FURNITURE*WAS*SCATTERED*ABOUT*IN*EVERY*DIRECTION,*WITH*DISMANTLED*SHELVES*AND*OPEN*DRAWERS,*AS*IF*THE*LADY*HAD*HURRIEDLY*RANSACKED*THEM*BEFORE*HER*FLIGHT.*HOLMES*RUSHED*AT*THE*BELL-PULL,*TORE*BACK*A*SMALL*SLIDING*SHUTTER,*AND,*PLUNGING*IN*HIS*HAND,*PULLED*OUT*A*PHOTOGRAPH*AND*A*LETTER.*THE*PHOTOGRAPH*WAS*OF*IRENE*ADLER*HERSELF*IN*EVENING*DRESS,*THE*LETTER*WAS*SUPERSCRIBED*TO*"SHERLOCK*HOLMES,*ESQ.*TO*BE*LEFT*TILL*CALLED*FOR."*MY*FRIEND*TORE*IT*OPEN,*AND*WE*ALL*THREE*READ*IT*TOGETHER.*IT*WAS*DATED*AT*MIDNIGHT*OF*THE*PRECEDING*NIGHT*AND*RAN*IN*THIS*WAY:
"MY*DEAR*MR.*SHERLOCK*HOLMES,--YOU*REALLY*DID*IT*VERY*WELL.*YOU*TOOK*ME*IN*COMPLETELY.*UNTIL*AFTER*THE*ALARM*OF*FIRE,*I*HAD*NOT*A*SUSPICION.*BUT*THEN,*WHEN*I*FOUND*HOW*I*HAD*BETRAYED*MYSELF,*I*BEGAN*TO*THINK.*I*HAD*BEEN*WARNED*AGAINST*YOU*MONTHS*AGO.*I*HAD*BEEN*TOLD*THAT,*IF*THE*KING*EMPLOYED*AN*AGENT,*IT*WOULD*CERTAINLY*BE*YOU.*AND*YOUR*ADDRESS*HAD*BEEN*GIVEN*ME.*YET,*WITH*ALL*THIS,*YOU*MADE*ME*REVEAL*WHAT*YOU*WANTED*TO*KNOW.*EVEN*AFTER*I*BECAME*SUSPICIOUS,*I*FOUND*IT*HARD*TO*THINK*EVIL*OF*SUCH*A*DEAR,*KIND*OLD*CLERGYMAN.*BUT,*YOU*KNOW,*I*HAVE*BEEN*TRAINED*AS*AN*ACTRESS*MYSELF.*MALE*COSTUME*IS*NOTHING*NEW*TO*ME.*I*OFTEN*TAKE*ADVANTAGE*OF*THE*FREEDOM*WHICH*IT*GIVES.*I*SENT*JOHN,*THE*COACHMAN,*TO*WATCH*YOU,*RAN*UPSTAIRS,*GOT*INTO*MY*WALKING*CLOTHES,*AS*I*CALL*THEM,*AND*CAME*DOWN*JUST*AS*YOU*DEPARTED.
"WELL,*I*FOLLOWED*YOU*TO*YOUR*DOOR,*AND*SO*MADE*SURE*THAT*I*WAS*REALLY*AN*OBJECT*OF*INTEREST*TO*THE*CELEBRATED*MR.*SHERLOCK*HOLMES.*THEN*I,*RATHER*IMPRUDENTLY,*WISHED*YOU*GOOD-NIGHT,*AND*STARTED*FOR*THE*TEMPLE*TO*SEE*MY*HUSBAND.
"WE*BOTH*THOUGHT*THE*BEST*RESOURCE*WAS*FLIGHT,*WHEN*PURSUED*BY*SO*FORMIDABLE*AN*ANTAGONIST;*SO*YOU*WILL*FIND*THE*NEST*EMPTY*WHEN*YOU*CALL*TO-MORROW.*AS*TO*THE*PHOTOGRAPH,*YOUR*CLIENT*MAY*REST*IN*PEACE.*I*LOVE*AND*AM*LOVED*BY*A*BETTER*MAN*THAN*HE.*THE*KING*MAY*DO*WHAT*HE*WILL*WITHOUT*HINDRANCE*FROM*ONE*WHOM*HE*HAS*CRUELLY*WRONGED.*I*KEEP*IT*ONLY*TO*SAFEGUARD*MYSELF,*AND*TO*PRESERVE*A*WEAPON*WHICH*WILL*ALWAYS*SECURE*ME*FROM*ANY*STEPS*WHICH*HE*MIGHT*TAKE*IN*THE*FUTURE.*I*LEAVE*A*PHOTOGRAPH*WHICH*HE*MIGHT*CARE*TO*POSSESS;*AND*I*REMAIN,*DEAR*MR.*SHERLOCK*HOLMES,
"VERY*TRULY*YOURS,**************
"IRENE*NORTON,*NEE*ADLER."
"WHAT*A*WOMAN--OH,*WHAT*A*WOMAN!"*CRIED*THE*KING*OF*BOHEMIA,*WHEN*WE*HAD*ALL*THREE*READ*THIS*EPISTLE.*"DID*I*NOT*TELL*YOU*HOW*QUICK*AND*RESOLUTE*SHE*WAS?*WOULD*SHE*NOT*HAVE*MADE*AN*ADMIRABLE*QUEEN?*IS*IT*NOT*A*PITY*THAT*SHE*WAS*NOT*ON*MY*LEVEL?"
"FROM*WHAT*I*HAVE*SEEN*OF*THE*LADY,*SHE*SEEMS,*INDEED,*TO*BE*ON*A*VERY*DIFFERENT*LEVEL*TO*YOUR*MAJESTY,"*SAID*HOLMES*COLDLY.*"I*AM*SORRY*THAT*I*HAVE*NOT*BEEN*ABLE*TO*BRING*YOUR*MAJESTY'S*BUSINESS*TO*A*MORE*SUCCESSFUL*CONCLUSION."
"ON*THE*CONTRARY,*MY*DEAR*SIR,"*CRIED*THE*KING;*"NOTHING*COULD*BE*MORE*SUCCESSFUL.*I*KNOW*THAT*HER*WORD*IS*INVIOLATE.*THE*PHOTOGRAPH*IS*NOW*AS*SAFE*AS*IF*IT*WERE*IN*THE*FIRE."
"I*AM*GLAD*TO*HEAR*YOUR*MAJESTY*SAY*SO."
"I*AM*IMMENSELY*INDEBTED*TO*YOU.*PRAY*TELL*ME*IN*WHAT*WAY*I*CAN*REWARD*YOU.*THIS*RING--"*HE*SLIPPED*AN*EMERALD*SNAKE*RING*FROM*HIS*FINGER*AND*HELD*IT*OUT*UPON*THE*PALM*OF*HIS*HAND.
"YOUR*MAJESTY*HAS*SOMETHING*WHICH*I*SHOULD*VALUE*EVEN*MORE*HIGHLY,"*SAID*HOLMES.
"YOU*HAVE*BUT*TO*NAME*IT."
"THIS*PHOTOGRAPH!"
THE*KING*STARED*AT*HIM*IN*AMAZEMENT.
"IRENE'S*PHOTOGRAPH!"*HE*CRIED.*"CERTAINLY,*IF*YOU*WISH*IT."
"I*THANK*YOUR*MAJESTY.*THEN*THERE*IS*NO*MORE*TO*BE*DONE*IN*THE*MATTER.*I*HAVE*THE*HONOUR*TO*WISH*YOU*A*VERY*GOOD*MORNING."*HE*BOWED,*AND,*TURNING*AWAY*WITHOUT*OBSERVING*THE*HAND*WHICH*THE*KING*HAD*STRETCHED*OUT*TO*HIM,*HE*SET*OFF*IN*MY*COMPANY*FOR*HIS*CHAMBERS.
AND*THAT*WAS*HOW*A*GREAT*SCANDAL*THREATENED*TO*AFFECT*THE*KINGDOM*OF*BOHEMIA,*AND*HOW*THE*BEST*PLANS*OF*MR.*SHERLOCK*HOLMES*WERE*BEATEN*BY*A*WOMAN'S*WIT.*HE*USED*TO*MAKE*MERRY*OVER*THE*CLEVERNESS*OF*WOMEN,*BUT*I*HAVE*NOT*HEARD*HIM*DO*IT*OF*LATE.*AND*WHEN*HE*SPEAKS*OF*IRENE*ADLER,*OR*WHEN*HE*REFERS*TO*HER*PHOTOGRAPH,*IT*IS*ALWAYS*UNDER*THE*HONOURABLE*TITLE*OF*THE*WOMAN.
ADVENTURE**II.**THE*RED-HEADED*LEAGUE
I*HAD*CALLED*UPON*MY*FRIEND,*MR.*SHERLOCK*HOLMES,*ONE*DAY*IN*THE*AUTUMN*OF*LAST*YEAR*AND*FOUND*HIM*IN*DEEP*CONVERSATION*WITH*A*VERY*STOUT,*FLORID-FACED,*ELDERLY*GENTLEMAN*WITH*FIERY*RED*HAIR.*WITH*AN*APOLOGY*FOR*MY*INTRUSION,*I*WAS*ABOUT*TO*WITHDRAW*WHEN*HOLMES*PULLED*ME*ABRUPTLY*INTO*THE*ROOM*AND*CLOSED*THE*DOOR*BEHIND*ME.
"YOU*COULD*NOT*POSSIBLY*HAVE*COME*AT*A*BETTER*TIME,*MY*DEAR*WATSON,"*HE*SAID*CORDIALLY.
"I*WAS*AFRAID*THAT*YOU*WERE*ENGAGED."
"SO*I*AM.*VERY*MUCH*SO."
"THEN*I*CAN*WAIT*IN*THE*NEXT*ROOM."
"NOT*AT*ALL.*THIS*GENTLEMAN,*MR.*WILSON,*HAS*BEEN*MY*PARTNER*AND*HELPER*IN*MANY*OF*MY*MOST*SUCCESSFUL*CASES,*AND*I*HAVE*NO*DOUBT*THAT*HE*WILL*BE*OF*THE*UTMOST*USE*TO*ME*IN*YOURS*ALSO."
THE*STOUT*GENTLEMAN*HALF*ROSE*FROM*HIS*CHAIR*AND*GAVE*A*BOB*OF*GREETING,*WITH*A*QUICK*LITTLE*QUESTIONING*GLANCE*FROM*HIS*SMALL*FAT-ENCIRCLED*EYES.
"TRY*THE*SETTEE,"*SAID*HOLMES,*RELAPSING*INTO*HIS*ARMCHAIR*AND*PUTTING*HIS*FINGERTIPS*TOGETHER,*AS*WAS*HIS*CUSTOM*WHEN*IN*JUDICIAL*MOODS.*"I*KNOW,*MY*DEAR*WATSON,*THAT*YOU*SHARE*MY*LOVE*OF*ALL*THAT*IS*BIZARRE*AND*OUTSIDE*THE*CONVENTIONS*AND*HUMDRUM*ROUTINE*OF*EVERYDAY*LIFE.*YOU*HAVE*SHOWN*YOUR*RELISH*FOR*IT*BY*THE*ENTHUSIASM*WHICH*HAS*PROMPTED*YOU*TO*CHRONICLE,*AND,*IF*YOU*WILL*EXCUSE*MY*SAYING*SO,*SOMEWHAT*TO*EMBELLISH*SO*MANY*OF*MY*OWN*LITTLE*ADVENTURES."
"YOUR*CASES*HAVE*INDEED*BEEN*OF*THE*GREATEST*INTEREST*TO*ME,"*I*OBSERVED.
"YOU*WILL*REMEMBER*THAT*I*REMARKED*THE*OTHER*DAY,*JUST*BEFORE*WE*WENT*INTO*THE*VERY*SIMPLE*PROBLEM*PRESENTED*BY*MISS*MARY*SUTHERLAND,*THAT*FOR*STRANGE*EFFECTS*AND*EXTRAORDINARY*COMBINATIONS*WE*MUST*GO*TO*LIFE*ITSELF,*WHICH*IS*ALWAYS*FAR*MORE*DARING*THAN*ANY*EFFORT*OF*THE*IMAGINATION."
"A*PROPOSITION*WHICH*I*TOOK*THE*LIBERTY*OF*DOUBTING."
THE*PORTLY*CLIENT*PUFFED*OUT*HIS*CHEST*WITH*AN*APPEARANCE*OF*SOME*LITTLE*PRIDE*AND*PULLED*A*DIRTY*AND*WRINKLED*NEWSPAPER*FROM*THE*INSIDE*POCKET*OF*HIS*GREATCOAT.*AS*HE*GLANCED*DOWN*THE*ADVERTISEMENT*COLUMN,*WITH*HIS*HEAD*THRUST*FORWARD*AND*THE*PAPER*FLATTENED*OUT*UPON*HIS*KNEE,*I*TOOK*A*GOOD*LOOK*AT*THE*MAN*AND*ENDEAVOURED,*AFTER*THE*FASHION*OF*MY*COMPANION,*TO*READ*THE*INDICATIONS*WHICH*MIGHT*BE*PRESENTED*BY*HIS*DRESS*OR*APPEARANCE.
I*DID*NOT*GAIN*VERY*MUCH,*HOWEVER,*BY*MY*INSPECTION.*OUR*VISITOR*BORE*EVERY*MARK*OF*BEING*AN*AVERAGE*COMMONPLACE*BRITISH*TRADESMAN,*OBESE,*POMPOUS,*AND*SLOW.*HE*WORE*RATHER*BAGGY*GREY*SHEPHERD'S*CHECK*TROUSERS,*A*NOT*OVER-CLEAN*BLACK*FROCK-COAT,*UNBUTTONED*IN*THE*FRONT,*AND*A*DRAB*WAISTCOAT*WITH*A*HEAVY*BRASSY*ALBERT*CHAIN,*AND*A*SQUARE*PIERCED*BIT*OF*METAL*DANGLING*DOWN*AS*AN*ORNAMENT.*A*FRAYED*TOP-HAT*AND*A*FADED*BROWN*OVERCOAT*WITH*A*WRINKLED*VELVET*COLLAR*LAY*UPON*A*CHAIR*BESIDE*HIM.*ALTOGETHER,*LOOK*AS*I*WOULD,*THERE*WAS*NOTHING*REMARKABLE*ABOUT*THE*MAN*SAVE*HIS*BLAZING*RED*HEAD,*AND*THE*EXPRESSION*OF*EXTREME*CHAGRIN*AND*DISCONTENT*UPON*HIS*FEATURES.
SHERLOCK*HOLMES'*QUICK*EYE*TOOK*IN*MY*OCCUPATION,*AND*HE*SHOOK*HIS*HEAD*WITH*A*SMILE*AS*HE*NOTICED*MY*QUESTIONING*GLANCES.*"BEYOND*THE*OBVIOUS*FACTS*THAT*HE*HAS*AT*SOME*TIME*DONE*MANUAL*LABOUR,*THAT*HE*TAKES*SNUFF,*THAT*HE*IS*A*FREEMASON,*THAT*HE*HAS*BEEN*IN*CHINA,*AND*THAT*HE*HAS*DONE*A*CONSIDERABLE*AMOUNT*OF*WRITING*LATELY,*I*CAN*DEDUCE*NOTHING*ELSE."
MR.*JABEZ*WILSON*STARTED*UP*IN*HIS*CHAIR,*WITH*HIS*FOREFINGER*UPON*THE*PAPER,*BUT*HIS*EYES*UPON*MY*COMPANION.
"HOW,*IN*THE*NAME*OF*GOOD-FORTUNE,*DID*YOU*KNOW*ALL*THAT,*MR.*HOLMES?"*HE*ASKED.*"HOW*DID*YOU*KNOW,*FOR*EXAMPLE,*THAT*I*DID*MANUAL*LABOUR.*IT'S*AS*TRUE*AS*GOSPEL,*FOR*I*BEGAN*AS*A*SHIP'S*CARPENTER."
"YOUR*HANDS,*MY*DEAR*SIR.*YOUR*RIGHT*HAND*IS*QUITE*A*SIZE*LARGER*THAN*YOUR*LEFT.*YOU*HAVE*WORKED*WITH*IT,*AND*THE*MUSCLES*ARE*MORE*DEVELOPED."
"WELL,*THE*SNUFF,*THEN,*AND*THE*FREEMASONRY?"
"I*WON'T*INSULT*YOUR*INTELLIGENCE*BY*TELLING*YOU*HOW*I*READ*THAT,*ESPECIALLY*AS,*RATHER*AGAINST*THE*STRICT*RULES*OF*YOUR*ORDER,*YOU*USE*AN*ARC-AND-COMPASS*BREASTPIN."
"AH,*OF*COURSE,*I*FORGOT*THAT.*BUT*THE*WRITING?"
"WHAT*ELSE*CAN*BE*INDICATED*BY*THAT*RIGHT*CUFF*SO*VERY*SHINY*FOR*FIVE*INCHES,*AND*THE*LEFT*ONE*WITH*THE*SMOOTH*PATCH*NEAR*THE*ELBOW*WHERE*YOU*REST*IT*UPON*THE*DESK?"
"WELL,*BUT*CHINA?"
"THE*FISH*THAT*YOU*HAVE*TATTOOED*IMMEDIATELY*ABOVE*YOUR*RIGHT*WRIST*COULD*ONLY*HAVE*BEEN*DONE*IN*CHINA.*I*HAVE*MADE*A*SMALL*STUDY*OF*TATTOO*MARKS*AND*HAVE*EVEN*CONTRIBUTED*TO*THE*LITERATURE*OF*THE*SUBJECT.*THAT*TRICK*OF*STAINING*THE*FISHES'*SCALES*OF*A*DELICATE*PINK*IS*QUITE*PECULIAR*TO*CHINA.*WHEN,*IN*ADDITION,*I*SEE*A*CHINESE*COIN*HANGING*FROM*YOUR*WATCH-CHAIN,*THE*MATTER*BECOMES*EVEN*MORE*SIMPLE."
MR.*JABEZ*WILSON*LAUGHED*HEAVILY.*"WELL,*I*NEVER!"*SAID*HE.*"I*THOUGHT*AT*FIRST*THAT*YOU*HAD*DONE*SOMETHING*CLEVER,*BUT*I*SEE*THAT*THERE*WAS*NOTHING*IN*IT*AFTER*ALL."
"I*BEGIN*TO*THINK,*WATSON,"*SAID*HOLMES,*"THAT*I*MAKE*A*MISTAKE*IN*EXPLAINING.*'OMNE*IGNOTUM*PRO*MAGNIFICO,'*YOU*KNOW,*AND*MY*POOR*LITTLE*REPUTATION,*SUCH*AS*IT*IS,*WILL*SUFFER*SHIPWRECK*IF*I*AM*SO*CANDID.*CAN*YOU*NOT*FIND*THE*ADVERTISEMENT,*MR.*WILSON?"
"YES,*I*HAVE*GOT*IT*NOW,"*HE*ANSWERED*WITH*HIS*THICK*RED*FINGER*PLANTED*HALFWAY*DOWN*THE*COLUMN.*"HERE*IT*IS.*THIS*IS*WHAT*BEGAN*IT*ALL.*YOU*JUST*READ*IT*FOR*YOURSELF,*SIR."
I*TOOK*THE*PAPER*FROM*HIM*AND*READ*AS*FOLLOWS:
"TO*THE*RED-HEADED*LEAGUE:*ON*ACCOUNT*OF*THE*BEQUEST*OF*THE*LATE*EZEKIAH*HOPKINS,*OF*LEBANON,*PENNSYLVANIA,*U.*S.*A.,*THERE*IS*NOW*ANOTHER*VACANCY*OPEN*WHICH*ENTITLES*A*MEMBER*OF*THE*LEAGUE*TO*A*SALARY*OF*$4*A*WEEK*FOR*PURELY*NOMINAL*SERVICES.*ALL*RED-HEADED*MEN*WHO*ARE*SOUND*IN*BODY*AND*MIND*AND*ABOVE*THE*AGE*OF*TWENTY-ONE*YEARS,*ARE*ELIGIBLE.*APPLY*IN*PERSON*ON*MONDAY,*AT*ELEVEN*O'CLOCK,*TO*DUNCAN*ROSS,*AT*THE*OFFICES*OF*THE*LEAGUE,*7*POPE'S*COURT,*FLEET*STREET."
"WHAT*ON*EARTH*DOES*THIS*MEAN?"*I*EJACULATED*AFTER*I*HAD*TWICE*READ*OVER*THE*EXTRAORDINARY*ANNOUNCEMENT.
HOLMES*CHUCKLED*AND*WRIGGLED*IN*HIS*CHAIR,*AS*WAS*HIS*HABIT*WHEN*IN*HIGH*SPIRITS.*"IT*IS*A*LITTLE*OFF*THE*BEATEN*TRACK,*ISN'T*IT?"*SAID*HE.*"AND*NOW,*MR.*WILSON,*OFF*YOU*GO*AT*SCRATCH*AND*TELL*US*ALL*ABOUT*YOURSELF,*YOUR*HOUSEHOLD,*AND*THE*EFFECT*WHICH*THIS*ADVERTISEMENT*HAD*UPON*YOUR*FORTUNES.*YOU*WILL*FIRST*MAKE*A*NOTE,*DOCTOR,*OF*THE*PAPER*AND*THE*DATE."
"IT*IS*THE*MORNING*CHRONICLE*OF*APRIL*27,*1890.*JUST*TWO*MONTHS*AGO."
"VERY*GOOD.*NOW,*MR.*WILSON?"
"WELL,*IT*IS*JUST*AS*I*HAVE*BEEN*TELLING*YOU,*MR.*SHERLOCK*HOLMES,"*SAID*JABEZ*WILSON,*MOPPING*HIS*FOREHEAD;*"I*HAVE*A*SMALL*PAWNBROKER'S*BUSINESS*AT*COBURG*SQUARE,*NEAR*THE*CITY.*IT'S*NOT*A*VERY*LARGE*AFFAIR,*AND*OF*LATE*YEARS*IT*HAS*NOT*DONE*MORE*THAN*JUST*GIVE*ME*A*LIVING.*I*USED*TO*BE*ABLE*TO*KEEP*TWO*ASSISTANTS,*BUT*NOW*I*ONLY*KEEP*ONE;*AND*I*WOULD*HAVE*A*JOB*TO*PAY*HIM*BUT*THAT*HE*IS*WILLING*TO*COME*FOR*HALF*WAGES*SO*AS*TO*LEARN*THE*BUSINESS."
"WHAT*IS*THE*NAME*OF*THIS*OBLIGING*YOUTH?"*ASKED*SHERLOCK*HOLMES.
"HIS*NAME*IS*VINCENT*SPAULDING,*AND*HE'S*NOT*SUCH*A*YOUTH,*EITHER.*IT'S*HARD*TO*SAY*HIS*AGE.*I*SHOULD*NOT*WISH*A*SMARTER*ASSISTANT,*MR.*HOLMES;*AND*I*KNOW*VERY*WELL*THAT*HE*COULD*BETTER*HIMSELF*AND*EARN*TWICE*WHAT*I*AM*ABLE*TO*GIVE*HIM.*BUT,*AFTER*ALL,*IF*HE*IS*SATISFIED,*WHY*SHOULD*I*PUT*IDEAS*IN*HIS*HEAD?"
"WHY,*INDEED?*YOU*SEEM*MOST*FORTUNATE*IN*HAVING*AN*EMPLOYE*WHO*COMES*UNDER*THE*FULL*MARKET*PRICE.*IT*IS*NOT*A*COMMON*EXPERIENCE*AMONG*EMPLOYERS*IN*THIS*AGE.*I*DON'T*KNOW*THAT*YOUR*ASSISTANT*IS*NOT*AS*REMARKABLE*AS*YOUR*ADVERTISEMENT."
"OH,*HE*HAS*HIS*FAULTS,*TOO,"*SAID*MR.*WILSON.*"NEVER*WAS*SUCH*A*FELLOW*FOR*PHOTOGRAPHY.*SNAPPING*AWAY*WITH*A*CAMERA*WHEN*HE*OUGHT*TO*BE*IMPROVING*HIS*MIND,*AND*THEN*DIVING*DOWN*INTO*THE*CELLAR*LIKE*A*RABBIT*INTO*ITS*HOLE*TO*DEVELOP*HIS*PICTURES.*THAT*IS*HIS*MAIN*FAULT,*BUT*ON*THE*WHOLE*HE'S*A*GOOD*WORKER.*THERE'S*NO*VICE*IN*HIM."
"HE*IS*STILL*WITH*YOU,*I*PRESUME?"
"YES,*SIR.*HE*AND*A*GIRL*OF*FOURTEEN,*WHO*DOES*A*BIT*OF*SIMPLE*COOKING*AND*KEEPS*THE*PLACE*CLEAN--THAT'S*ALL*I*HAVE*IN*THE*HOUSE,*FOR*I*AM*A*WIDOWER*AND*NEVER*HAD*ANY*FAMILY.*WE*LIVE*VERY*QUIETLY,*SIR,*THE*THREE*OF*US;*AND*WE*KEEP*A*ROOF*OVER*OUR*HEADS*AND*PAY*OUR*DEBTS,*IF*WE*DO*NOTHING*MORE.
"THE*FIRST*THING*THAT*PUT*US*OUT*WAS*THAT*ADVERTISEMENT.*SPAULDING,*HE*CAME*DOWN*INTO*THE*OFFICE*JUST*THIS*DAY*EIGHT*WEEKS,*WITH*THIS*VERY*PAPER*IN*HIS*HAND,*AND*HE*SAYS:
"*'I*WISH*TO*THE*LORD,*MR.*WILSON,*THAT*I*WAS*A*RED-HEADED*MAN.'
"*'WHY*THAT?'*I*ASKS.
"*'WHY,'*SAYS*HE,*'HERE'S*ANOTHER*VACANCY*ON*THE*LEAGUE*OF*THE*RED-HEADED*MEN.*IT'S*WORTH*QUITE*A*LITTLE*FORTUNE*TO*ANY*MAN*WHO*GETS*IT,*AND*I*UNDERSTAND*THAT*THERE*ARE*MORE*VACANCIES*THAN*THERE*ARE*MEN,*SO*THAT*THE*TRUSTEES*ARE*AT*THEIR*WITS'*END*WHAT*TO*DO*WITH*THE*MONEY.*IF*MY*HAIR*WOULD*ONLY*CHANGE*COLOUR,*HERE'S*A*NICE*LITTLE*CRIB*ALL*READY*FOR*ME*TO*STEP*INTO.'
"*'WHY,*WHAT*IS*IT,*THEN?'*I*ASKED.*YOU*SEE,*MR.*HOLMES,*I*AM*A*VERY*STAY-AT-HOME*MAN,*AND*AS*MY*BUSINESS*CAME*TO*ME*INSTEAD*OF*MY*HAVING*TO*GO*TO*IT,*I*WAS*OFTEN*WEEKS*ON*END*WITHOUT*PUTTING*MY*FOOT*OVER*THE*DOOR-MAT.*IN*THAT*WAY*I*DIDN'T*KNOW*MUCH*OF*WHAT*WAS*GOING*ON*OUTSIDE,*AND*I*WAS*ALWAYS*GLAD*OF*A*BIT*OF*NEWS.
"*'HAVE*YOU*NEVER*HEARD*OF*THE*LEAGUE*OF*THE*RED-HEADED*MEN?'*HE*ASKED*WITH*HIS*EYES*OPEN.
"*'NEVER.'
"*'WHY,*I*WONDER*AT*THAT,*FOR*YOU*ARE*ELIGIBLE*YOURSELF*FOR*ONE*OF*THE*VACANCIES.'
"*'AND*WHAT*ARE*THEY*WORTH?'*I*ASKED.
"*'OH,*MERELY*A*COUPLE*OF*HUNDRED*A*YEAR,*BUT*THE*WORK*IS*SLIGHT,*AND*IT*NEED*NOT*INTERFERE*VERY*MUCH*WITH*ONE'S*OTHER*OCCUPATIONS.'
"WELL,*YOU*CAN*EASILY*THINK*THAT*THAT*MADE*ME*PRICK*UP*MY*EARS,*FOR*THE*BUSINESS*HAS*NOT*BEEN*OVER*GOOD*FOR*SOME*YEARS,*AND*AN*EXTRA*COUPLE*OF*HUNDRED*WOULD*HAVE*BEEN*VERY*HANDY.
"*'TELL*ME*ALL*ABOUT*IT,'*SAID*I.
"*'WELL,'*SAID*HE,*SHOWING*ME*THE*ADVERTISEMENT,*'YOU*CAN*SEE*FOR*YOURSELF*THAT*THE*LEAGUE*HAS*A*VACANCY,*AND*THERE*IS*THE*ADDRESS*WHERE*YOU*SHOULD*APPLY*FOR*PARTICULARS.*AS*FAR*AS*I*CAN*MAKE*OUT,*THE*LEAGUE*WAS*FOUNDED*BY*AN*AMERICAN*MILLIONAIRE,*EZEKIAH*HOPKINS,*WHO*WAS*VERY*PECULIAR*IN*HIS*WAYS.*HE*WAS*HIMSELF*RED-HEADED,*AND*HE*HAD*A*GREAT*SYMPATHY*FOR*ALL*RED-HEADED*MEN;*SO,*WHEN*HE*DIED,*IT*WAS*FOUND*THAT*HE*HAD*LEFT*HIS*ENORMOUS*FORTUNE*IN*THE*HANDS*OF*TRUSTEES,*WITH*INSTRUCTIONS*TO*APPLY*THE*INTEREST*TO*THE*PROVIDING*OF*EASY*BERTHS*TO*MEN*WHOSE*HAIR*IS*OF*THAT*COLOUR.*FROM*ALL*I*HEAR*IT*IS*SPLENDID*PAY*AND*VERY*LITTLE*TO*DO.'
"*'BUT,'*SAID*I,*'THERE*WOULD*BE*MILLIONS*OF*RED-HEADED*MEN*WHO*WOULD*APPLY.'
"*'NOT*SO*MANY*AS*YOU*MIGHT*THINK,'*HE*ANSWERED.*'YOU*SEE*IT*IS*REALLY*CONFINED*TO*LONDONERS,*AND*TO*GROWN*MEN.*THIS*AMERICAN*HAD*STARTED*FROM*LONDON*WHEN*HE*WAS*YOUNG,*AND*HE*WANTED*TO*DO*THE*OLD*TOWN*A*GOOD*TURN.*THEN,*AGAIN,*I*HAVE*HEARD*IT*IS*NO*USE*YOUR*APPLYING*IF*YOUR*HAIR*IS*LIGHT*RED,*OR*DARK*RED,*OR*ANYTHING*BUT*REAL*BRIGHT,*BLAZING,*FIERY*RED.*NOW,*IF*YOU*CARED*TO*APPLY,*MR.*WILSON,*YOU*WOULD*JUST*WALK*IN;*BUT*PERHAPS*IT*WOULD*HARDLY*BE*WORTH*YOUR*WHILE*TO*PUT*YOURSELF*OUT*OF*THE*WAY*FOR*THE*SAKE*OF*A*FEW*HUNDRED*POUNDS.'
"NOW,*IT*IS*A*FACT,*GENTLEMEN,*AS*YOU*MAY*SEE*FOR*YOURSELVES,*THAT*MY*HAIR*IS*OF*A*VERY*FULL*AND*RICH*TINT,*SO*THAT*IT*SEEMED*TO*ME*THAT*IF*THERE*WAS*TO*BE*ANY*COMPETITION*IN*THE*MATTER*I*STOOD*AS*GOOD*A*CHANCE*AS*ANY*MAN*THAT*I*HAD*EVER*MET.*VINCENT*SPAULDING*SEEMED*TO*KNOW*SO*MUCH*ABOUT*IT*THAT*I*THOUGHT*HE*MIGHT*PROVE*USEFUL,*SO*I*JUST*ORDERED*HIM*TO*PUT*UP*THE*SHUTTERS*FOR*THE*DAY*AND*TO*COME*RIGHT*AWAY*WITH*ME.*HE*WAS*VERY*WILLING*TO*HAVE*A*HOLIDAY,*SO*WE*SHUT*THE*BUSINESS*UP*AND*STARTED*OFF*FOR*THE*ADDRESS*THAT*WAS*GIVEN*US*IN*THE*ADVERTISEMENT.
"YOUR*EXPERIENCE*HAS*BEEN*A*MOST*ENTERTAINING*ONE,"*REMARKED*HOLMES*AS*HIS*CLIENT*PAUSED*AND*REFRESHED*HIS*MEMORY*WITH*A*HUGE*PINCH*OF*SNUFF.*"PRAY*CONTINUE*YOUR*VERY*INTERESTING*STATEMENT."
"THERE*WAS*NOTHING*IN*THE*OFFICE*BUT*A*COUPLE*OF*WOODEN*CHAIRS*AND*A*DEAL*TABLE,*BEHIND*WHICH*SAT*A*SMALL*MAN*WITH*A*HEAD*THAT*WAS*EVEN*REDDER*THAN*MINE.*HE*SAID*A*FEW*WORDS*TO*EACH*CANDIDATE*AS*HE*CAME*UP,*AND*THEN*HE*ALWAYS*MANAGED*TO*FIND*SOME*FAULT*IN*THEM*WHICH*WOULD*DISQUALIFY*THEM.*GETTING*A*VACANCY*DID*NOT*SEEM*TO*BE*SUCH*A*VERY*EASY*MATTER,*AFTER*ALL.*HOWEVER,*WHEN*OUR*TURN*CAME*THE*LITTLE*MAN*WAS*MUCH*MORE*FAVOURABLE*TO*ME*THAN*TO*ANY*OF*THE*OTHERS,*AND*HE*CLOSED*THE*DOOR*AS*WE*ENTERED,*SO*THAT*HE*MIGHT*HAVE*A*PRIVATE*WORD*WITH*US.
"*'THIS*IS*MR.*JABEZ*WILSON,'*SAID*MY*ASSISTANT,*'AND*HE*IS*WILLING*TO*FILL*A*VACANCY*IN*THE*LEAGUE.'
"*'AND*HE*IS*ADMIRABLY*SUITED*FOR*IT,'*THE*OTHER*ANSWERED.*'HE*HAS*EVERY*REQUIREMENT.*I*CANNOT*RECALL*WHEN*I*HAVE*SEEN*ANYTHING*SO*FINE.'*HE*TOOK*A*STEP*BACKWARD,*COCKED*HIS*HEAD*ON*ONE*SIDE,*AND*GAZED*AT*MY*HAIR*UNTIL*I*FELT*QUITE*BASHFUL.*THEN*SUDDENLY*HE*PLUNGED*FORWARD,*WRUNG*MY*HAND,*AND*CONGRATULATED*ME*WARMLY*ON*MY*SUCCESS.
"*'IT*WOULD*BE*INJUSTICE*TO*HESITATE,'*SAID*HE.*'YOU*WILL,*HOWEVER,*I*AM*SURE,*EXCUSE*ME*FOR*TAKING*AN*OBVIOUS*PRECAUTION.'*WITH*THAT*HE*SEIZED*MY*HAIR*IN*BOTH*HIS*HANDS,*AND*TUGGED*UNTIL*I*YELLED*WITH*THE*PAIN.*'THERE*IS*WATER*IN*YOUR*EYES,'*SAID*HE*AS*HE*RELEASED*ME.*'I*PERCEIVE*THAT*ALL*IS*AS*IT*SHOULD*BE.*BUT*WE*HAVE*TO*BE*CAREFUL,*FOR*WE*HAVE*TWICE*BEEN*DECEIVED*BY*WIGS*AND*ONCE*BY*PAINT.*I*COULD*TELL*YOU*TALES*OF*COBBLER'S*WAX*WHICH*WOULD*DISGUST*YOU*WITH*HUMAN*NATURE.'*HE*STEPPED*OVER*TO*THE*WINDOW*AND*SHOUTED*THROUGH*IT*AT*THE*TOP*OF*HIS*VOICE*THAT*THE*VACANCY*WAS*FILLED.*A*GROAN*OF*DISAPPOINTMENT*CAME*UP*FROM*BELOW,*AND*THE*FOLK*ALL*TROOPED*AWAY*IN*DIFFERENT*DIRECTIONS*UNTIL*THERE*WAS*NOT*A*RED-HEAD*TO*BE*SEEN*EXCEPT*MY*OWN*AND*THAT*OF*THE*MANAGER.
"*'MY*NAME,'*SAID*HE,*'IS*MR.*DUNCAN*ROSS,*AND*I*AM*MYSELF*ONE*OF*THE*PENSIONERS*UPON*THE*FUND*LEFT*BY*OUR*NOBLE*BENEFACTOR.*ARE*YOU*A*MARRIED*MAN,*MR.*WILSON?*HAVE*YOU*A*FAMILY?'
"I*ANSWERED*THAT*I*HAD*NOT.
"HIS*FACE*FELL*IMMEDIATELY.
"*'DEAR*ME!'*HE*SAID*GRAVELY,*'THAT*IS*VERY*SERIOUS*INDEED!*I*AM*SORRY*TO*HEAR*YOU*SAY*THAT.*THE*FUND*WAS,*OF*COURSE,*FOR*THE*PROPAGATION*AND*SPREAD*OF*THE*RED-HEADS*AS*WELL*AS*FOR*THEIR*MAINTENANCE.*IT*IS*EXCEEDINGLY*UNFORTUNATE*THAT*YOU*SHOULD*BE*A*BACHELOR.'
"MY*FACE*LENGTHENED*AT*THIS,*MR.*HOLMES,*FOR*I*THOUGHT*THAT*I*WAS*NOT*TO*HAVE*THE*VACANCY*AFTER*ALL;*BUT*AFTER*THINKING*IT*OVER*FOR*A*FEW*MINUTES*HE*SAID*THAT*IT*WOULD*BE*ALL*RIGHT.
"*'IN*THE*CASE*OF*ANOTHER,'*SAID*HE,*'THE*OBJECTION*MIGHT*BE*FATAL,*BUT*WE*MUST*STRETCH*A*POINT*IN*FAVOUR*OF*A*MAN*WITH*SUCH*A*HEAD*OF*HAIR*AS*YOURS.*WHEN*SHALL*YOU*BE*ABLE*TO*ENTER*UPON*YOUR*NEW*DUTIES?'
"*'WELL,*IT*IS*A*LITTLE*AWKWARD,*FOR*I*HAVE*A*BUSINESS*ALREADY,'*SAID*I.
"*'OH,*NEVER*MIND*ABOUT*THAT,*MR.*WILSON!'*SAID*VINCENT*SPAULDING.*'I*SHOULD*BE*ABLE*TO*LOOK*AFTER*THAT*FOR*YOU.'
"*'WHAT*WOULD*BE*THE*HOURS?'*I*ASKED.
"*'TEN*TO*TWO.'
"NOW*A*PAWNBROKER'S*BUSINESS*IS*MOSTLY*DONE*OF*AN*EVENING,*MR.*HOLMES,*ESPECIALLY*THURSDAY*AND*FRIDAY*EVENING,*WHICH*IS*JUST*BEFORE*PAY-DAY;*SO*IT*WOULD*SUIT*ME*VERY*WELL*TO*EARN*A*LITTLE*IN*THE*MORNINGS.*BESIDES,*I*KNEW*THAT*MY*ASSISTANT*WAS*A*GOOD*MAN,*AND*THAT*HE*WOULD*SEE*TO*ANYTHING*THAT*TURNED*UP.
"*'THAT*WOULD*SUIT*ME*VERY*WELL,'*SAID*I.*'AND*THE*PAY?'
"*'IS*$4*A*WEEK.'
"*'AND*THE*WORK?'
"*'IS*PURELY*NOMINAL.'
"*'WHAT*DO*YOU*CALL*PURELY*NOMINAL?'
"*'WELL,*YOU*HAVE*TO*BE*IN*THE*OFFICE,*OR*AT*LEAST*IN*THE*BUILDING,*THE*WHOLE*TIME.*IF*YOU*LEAVE,*YOU*FORFEIT*YOUR*WHOLE*POSITION*FOREVER.*THE*WILL*IS*VERY*CLEAR*UPON*THAT*POINT.*YOU*DON'T*COMPLY*WITH*THE*CONDITIONS*IF*YOU*BUDGE*FROM*THE*OFFICE*DURING*THAT*TIME.'
"*'IT'S*ONLY*FOUR*HOURS*A*DAY,*AND*I*SHOULD*NOT*THINK*OF*LEAVING,'*SAID*I.
"*'NO*EXCUSE*WILL*AVAIL,'*SAID*MR.*DUNCAN*ROSS;*'NEITHER*SICKNESS*NOR*BUSINESS*NOR*ANYTHING*ELSE.*THERE*YOU*MUST*STAY,*OR*YOU*LOSE*YOUR*BILLET.'
"*'AND*THE*WORK?'
"*'IS*TO*COPY*OUT*THE*ENCYCLOPAEDIA*BRITANNICA.*THERE*IS*THE*FIRST*VOLUME*OF*IT*IN*THAT*PRESS.*YOU*MUST*FIND*YOUR*OWN*INK,*PENS,*AND*BLOTTING-PAPER,*BUT*WE*PROVIDE*THIS*TABLE*AND*CHAIR.*WILL*YOU*BE*READY*TO-MORROW?'
"*'CERTAINLY,'*I*ANSWERED.
"*'THEN,*GOOD-BYE,*MR.*JABEZ*WILSON,*AND*LET*ME*CONGRATULATE*YOU*ONCE*MORE*ON*THE*IMPORTANT*POSITION*WHICH*YOU*HAVE*BEEN*FORTUNATE*ENOUGH*TO*GAIN.'*HE*BOWED*ME*OUT*OF*THE*ROOM*AND*I*WENT*HOME*WITH*MY*ASSISTANT,*HARDLY*KNOWING*WHAT*TO*SAY*OR*DO,*I*WAS*SO*PLEASED*AT*MY*OWN*GOOD*FORTUNE.
"WELL,*I*THOUGHT*OVER*THE*MATTER*ALL*DAY,*AND*BY*EVENING*I*WAS*IN*LOW*SPIRITS*AGAIN;*FOR*I*HAD*QUITE*PERSUADED*MYSELF*THAT*THE*WHOLE*AFFAIR*MUST*BE*SOME*GREAT*HOAX*OR*FRAUD,*THOUGH*WHAT*ITS*OBJECT*MIGHT*BE*I*COULD*NOT*IMAGINE.*IT*SEEMED*ALTOGETHER*PAST*BELIEF*THAT*ANYONE*COULD*MAKE*SUCH*A*WILL,*OR*THAT*THEY*WOULD*PAY*SUCH*A*SUM*FOR*DOING*ANYTHING*SO*SIMPLE*AS*COPYING*OUT*THE*ENCYCLOPAEDIA*BRITANNICA.*VINCENT*SPAULDING*DID*WHAT*HE*COULD*TO*CHEER*ME*UP,*BUT*BY*BEDTIME*I*HAD*REASONED*MYSELF*OUT*OF*THE*WHOLE*THING.*HOWEVER,*IN*THE*MORNING*I*DETERMINED*TO*HAVE*A*LOOK*AT*IT*ANYHOW,*SO*I*BOUGHT*A*PENNY*BOTTLE*OF*INK,*AND*WITH*A*QUILL-PEN,*AND*SEVEN*SHEETS*OF*FOOLSCAP*PAPER,*I*STARTED*OFF*FOR*POPE'S*COURT.
"WELL,*TO*MY*SURPRISE*AND*DELIGHT,*EVERYTHING*WAS*AS*RIGHT*AS*POSSIBLE.*THE*TABLE*WAS*SET*OUT*READY*FOR*ME,*AND*MR.*DUNCAN*ROSS*WAS*THERE*TO*SEE*THAT*I*GOT*FAIRLY*TO*WORK.*HE*STARTED*ME*OFF*UPON*THE*LETTER*A,*AND*THEN*HE*LEFT*ME;*BUT*HE*WOULD*DROP*IN*FROM*TIME*TO*TIME*TO*SEE*THAT*ALL*WAS*RIGHT*WITH*ME.*AT*TWO*O'CLOCK*HE*BADE*ME*GOOD-DAY,*COMPLIMENTED*ME*UPON*THE*AMOUNT*THAT*I*HAD*WRITTEN,*AND*LOCKED*THE*DOOR*OF*THE*OFFICE*AFTER*ME.
"THIS*WENT*ON*DAY*AFTER*DAY,*MR.*HOLMES,*AND*ON*SATURDAY*THE*MANAGER*CAME*IN*AND*PLANKED*DOWN*FOUR*GOLDEN*SOVEREIGNS*FOR*MY*WEEK'S*WORK.*IT*WAS*THE*SAME*NEXT*WEEK,*AND*THE*SAME*THE*WEEK*AFTER.*EVERY*MORNING*I*WAS*THERE*AT*TEN,*AND*EVERY*AFTERNOON*I*LEFT*AT*TWO.*BY*DEGREES*MR.*DUNCAN*ROSS*TOOK*TO*COMING*IN*ONLY*ONCE*OF*A*MORNING,*AND*THEN,*AFTER*A*TIME,*HE*DID*NOT*COME*IN*AT*ALL.*STILL,*OF*COURSE,*I*NEVER*DARED*TO*LEAVE*THE*ROOM*FOR*AN*INSTANT,*FOR*I*WAS*NOT*SURE*WHEN*HE*MIGHT*COME,*AND*THE*BILLET*WAS*SUCH*A*GOOD*ONE,*AND*SUITED*ME*SO*WELL,*THAT*I*WOULD*NOT*RISK*THE*LOSS*OF*IT.
"EIGHT*WEEKS*PASSED*AWAY*LIKE*THIS,*AND*I*HAD*WRITTEN*ABOUT*ABBOTS*AND*ARCHERY*AND*ARMOUR*AND*ARCHITECTURE*AND*ATTICA,*AND*HOPED*WITH*DILIGENCE*THAT*I*MIGHT*GET*ON*TO*THE*B'S*BEFORE*VERY*LONG.*IT*COST*ME*SOMETHING*IN*FOOLSCAP,*AND*I*HAD*PRETTY*NEARLY*FILLED*A*SHELF*WITH*MY*WRITINGS.*AND*THEN*SUDDENLY*THE*WHOLE*BUSINESS*CAME*TO*AN*END."
"TO*AN*END?"
"YES,*SIR.*AND*NO*LATER*THAN*THIS*MORNING.*I*WENT*TO*MY*WORK*AS*USUAL*AT*TEN*O'CLOCK,*BUT*THE*DOOR*WAS*SHUT*AND*LOCKED,*WITH*A*LITTLE*SQUARE*OF*CARDBOARD*HAMMERED*ON*TO*THE*MIDDLE*OF*THE*PANEL*WITH*A*TACK.*HERE*IT*IS,*AND*YOU*CAN*READ*FOR*YOURSELF."
HE*HELD*UP*A*PIECE*OF*WHITE*CARDBOARD*ABOUT*THE*SIZE*OF*A*SHEET*OF*NOTE-PAPER.*IT*READ*IN*THIS*FASHION:
THE*RED-HEADED*LEAGUE
IS
DISSOLVED.
OCTOBER*9,*1890.
SHERLOCK*HOLMES*AND*I*SURVEYED*THIS*CURT*ANNOUNCEMENT*AND*THE*RUEFUL*FACE*BEHIND*IT,*UNTIL*THE*COMICAL*SIDE*OF*THE*AFFAIR*SO*COMPLETELY*OVERTOPPED*EVERY*OTHER*CONSIDERATION*THAT*WE*BOTH*BURST*OUT*INTO*A*ROAR*OF*LAUGHTER.
"I*CANNOT*SEE*THAT*THERE*IS*ANYTHING*VERY*FUNNY,"*CRIED*OUR*CLIENT,*FLUSHING*UP*TO*THE*ROOTS*OF*HIS*FLAMING*HEAD.*"IF*YOU*CAN*DO*NOTHING*BETTER*THAN*LAUGH*AT*ME,*I*CAN*GO*ELSEWHERE."
"NO,*NO,"*CRIED*HOLMES,*SHOVING*HIM*BACK*INTO*THE*CHAIR*FROM*WHICH*HE*HAD*HALF*RISEN.*"I*REALLY*WOULDN'T*MISS*YOUR*CASE*FOR*THE*WORLD.*IT*IS*MOST*REFRESHINGLY*UNUSUAL.*BUT*THERE*IS,*IF*YOU*WILL*EXCUSE*MY*SAYING*SO,*SOMETHING*JUST*A*LITTLE*FUNNY*ABOUT*IT.*PRAY*WHAT*STEPS*DID*YOU*TAKE*WHEN*YOU*FOUND*THE*CARD*UPON*THE*DOOR?"
"I*WAS*STAGGERED,*SIR.*I*DID*NOT*KNOW*WHAT*TO*DO.*THEN*I*CALLED*AT*THE*OFFICES*ROUND,*BUT*NONE*OF*THEM*SEEMED*TO*KNOW*ANYTHING*ABOUT*IT.*FINALLY,*I*WENT*TO*THE*LANDLORD,*WHO*IS*AN*ACCOUNTANT*LIVING*ON*THE*GROUND*FLOOR,*AND*I*ASKED*HIM*IF*HE*COULD*TELL*ME*WHAT*HAD*BECOME*OF*THE*RED-HEADED*LEAGUE.*HE*SAID*THAT*HE*HAD*NEVER*HEARD*OF*ANY*SUCH*BODY.*THEN*I*ASKED*HIM*WHO*MR.*DUNCAN*ROSS*WAS.*HE*ANSWERED*THAT*THE*NAME*WAS*NEW*TO*HIM.
"*'WELL,'*SAID*I,*'THE*GENTLEMAN*AT*NO.*4.'
"*'WHAT,*THE*RED-HEADED*MAN?'
"*'YES.'
"*'OH,'*SAID*HE,*'HIS*NAME*WAS*WILLIAM*MORRIS.*HE*WAS*A*SOLICITOR*AND*WAS*USING*MY*ROOM*AS*A*TEMPORARY*CONVENIENCE*UNTIL*HIS*NEW*PREMISES*WERE*READY.*HE*MOVED*OUT*YESTERDAY.'
"*'WHERE*COULD*I*FIND*HIM?'
"*'OH,*AT*HIS*NEW*OFFICES.*HE*DID*TELL*ME*THE*ADDRESS.*YES,*17*KING*EDWARD*STREET,*NEAR*ST.*PAUL'S.'
"I*STARTED*OFF,*MR.*HOLMES,*BUT*WHEN*I*GOT*TO*THAT*ADDRESS*IT*WAS*A*MANUFACTORY*OF*ARTIFICIAL*KNEE-CAPS,*AND*NO*ONE*IN*IT*HAD*EVER*HEARD*OF*EITHER*MR.*WILLIAM*MORRIS*OR*MR.*DUNCAN*ROSS."
"AND*WHAT*DID*YOU*DO*THEN?"*ASKED*HOLMES.
"I*WENT*HOME*TO*SAXE-COBURG*SQUARE,*AND*I*TOOK*THE*ADVICE*OF*MY*ASSISTANT.*BUT*HE*COULD*NOT*HELP*ME*IN*ANY*WAY.*HE*COULD*ONLY*SAY*THAT*IF*I*WAITED*I*SHOULD*HEAR*BY*POST.*BUT*THAT*WAS*NOT*QUITE*GOOD*ENOUGH,*MR.*HOLMES.*I*DID*NOT*WISH*TO*LOSE*SUCH*A*PLACE*WITHOUT*A*STRUGGLE,*SO,*AS*I*HAD*HEARD*THAT*YOU*WERE*GOOD*ENOUGH*TO*GIVE*ADVICE*TO*POOR*FOLK*WHO*WERE*IN*NEED*OF*IT,*I*CAME*RIGHT*AWAY*TO*YOU."
"AND*YOU*DID*VERY*WISELY,"*SAID*HOLMES.*"YOUR*CASE*IS*AN*EXCEEDINGLY*REMARKABLE*ONE,*AND*I*SHALL*BE*HAPPY*TO*LOOK*INTO*IT.*FROM*WHAT*YOU*HAVE*TOLD*ME*I*THINK*THAT*IT*IS*POSSIBLE*THAT*GRAVER*ISSUES*HANG*FROM*IT*THAN*MIGHT*AT*FIRST*SIGHT*APPEAR."
"GRAVE*ENOUGH!"*SAID*MR.*JABEZ*WILSON.*"WHY,*I*HAVE*LOST*FOUR*POUND*A*WEEK."
"AS*FAR*AS*YOU*ARE*PERSONALLY*CONCERNED,"*REMARKED*HOLMES,*"I*DO*NOT*SEE*THAT*YOU*HAVE*ANY*GRIEVANCE*AGAINST*THIS*EXTRAORDINARY*LEAGUE.*ON*THE*CONTRARY,*YOU*ARE,*AS*I*UNDERSTAND,*RICHER*BY*SOME*$30,*TO*SAY*NOTHING*OF*THE*MINUTE*KNOWLEDGE*WHICH*YOU*HAVE*GAINED*ON*EVERY*SUBJECT*WHICH*COMES*UNDER*THE*LETTER*A.*YOU*HAVE*LOST*NOTHING*BY*THEM."
"NO,*SIR.*BUT*I*WANT*TO*FIND*OUT*ABOUT*THEM,*AND*WHO*THEY*ARE,*AND*WHAT*THEIR*OBJECT*WAS*IN*PLAYING*THIS*PRANK--IF*IT*WAS*A*PRANK--UPON*ME.*IT*WAS*A*PRETTY*EXPENSIVE*JOKE*FOR*THEM,*FOR*IT*COST*THEM*TWO*AND*THIRTY*POUNDS."
"WE*SHALL*ENDEAVOUR*TO*CLEAR*UP*THESE*POINTS*FOR*YOU.*AND,*FIRST,*ONE*OR*TWO*QUESTIONS,*MR.*WILSON.*THIS*ASSISTANT*OF*YOURS*WHO*FIRST*CALLED*YOUR*ATTENTION*TO*THE*ADVERTISEMENT--HOW*LONG*HAD*HE*BEEN*WITH*YOU?"
"ABOUT*A*MONTH*THEN."
"HOW*DID*HE*COME?"
"IN*ANSWER*TO*AN*ADVERTISEMENT."
"WAS*HE*THE*ONLY*APPLICANT?"
"NO,*I*HAD*A*DOZEN."
"WHY*DID*YOU*PICK*HIM?"
"BECAUSE*HE*WAS*HANDY*AND*WOULD*COME*CHEAP."
"AT*HALF*WAGES,*IN*FACT."
"YES."
"WHAT*IS*HE*LIKE,*THIS*VINCENT*SPAULDING?"
"SMALL,*STOUT-BUILT,*VERY*QUICK*IN*HIS*WAYS,*NO*HAIR*ON*HIS*FACE,*THOUGH*HE'S*NOT*SHORT*OF*THIRTY.*HAS*A*WHITE*SPLASH*OF*ACID*UPON*HIS*FOREHEAD."
HOLMES*SAT*UP*IN*HIS*CHAIR*IN*CONSIDERABLE*EXCITEMENT.*"I*THOUGHT*AS*MUCH,"*SAID*HE.*"HAVE*YOU*EVER*OBSERVED*THAT*HIS*EARS*ARE*PIERCED*FOR*EARRINGS?"
"YES,*SIR.*HE*TOLD*ME*THAT*A*GIPSY*HAD*DONE*IT*FOR*HIM*WHEN*HE*WAS*A*LAD."
"HUM!"*SAID*HOLMES,*SINKING*BACK*IN*DEEP*THOUGHT.*"HE*IS*STILL*WITH*YOU?"
"OH,*YES,*SIR;*I*HAVE*ONLY*JUST*LEFT*HIM."
"AND*HAS*YOUR*BUSINESS*BEEN*ATTENDED*TO*IN*YOUR*ABSENCE?"
"NOTHING*TO*COMPLAIN*OF,*SIR.*THERE'S*NEVER*VERY*MUCH*TO*DO*OF*A*MORNING."
"THAT*WILL*DO,*MR.*WILSON.*I*SHALL*BE*HAPPY*TO*GIVE*YOU*AN*OPINION*UPON*THE*SUBJECT*IN*THE*COURSE*OF*A*DAY*OR*TWO.*TO-DAY*IS*SATURDAY,*AND*I*HOPE*THAT*BY*MONDAY*WE*MAY*COME*TO*A*CONCLUSION."
"WELL,*WATSON,"*SAID*HOLMES*WHEN*OUR*VISITOR*HAD*LEFT*US,*"WHAT*DO*YOU*MAKE*OF*IT*ALL?"
"I*MAKE*NOTHING*OF*IT,"*I*ANSWERED*FRANKLY.*"IT*IS*A*MOST*MYSTERIOUS*BUSINESS."
"AS*A*RULE,"*SAID*HOLMES,*"THE*MORE*BIZARRE*A*THING*IS*THE*LESS*MYSTERIOUS*IT*PROVES*TO*BE.*IT*IS*YOUR*COMMONPLACE,*FEATURELESS*CRIMES*WHICH*ARE*REALLY*PUZZLING,*JUST*AS*A*COMMONPLACE*FACE*IS*THE*MOST*DIFFICULT*TO*IDENTIFY.*BUT*I*MUST*BE*PROMPT*OVER*THIS*MATTER."
"WHAT*ARE*YOU*GOING*TO*DO,*THEN?"*I*ASKED.
"TO*SMOKE,"*HE*ANSWERED.*"IT*IS*QUITE*A*THREE*PIPE*PROBLEM,*AND*I*BEG*THAT*YOU*WON'T*SPEAK*TO*ME*FOR*FIFTY*MINUTES."*HE*CURLED*HIMSELF*UP*IN*HIS*CHAIR,*WITH*HIS*THIN*KNEES*DRAWN*UP*TO*HIS*HAWK-LIKE*NOSE,*AND*THERE*HE*SAT*WITH*HIS*EYES*CLOSED*AND*HIS*BLACK*CLAY*PIPE*THRUSTING*OUT*LIKE*THE*BILL*OF*SOME*STRANGE*BIRD.*I*HAD*COME*TO*THE*CONCLUSION*THAT*HE*HAD*DROPPED*ASLEEP,*AND*INDEED*WAS*NODDING*MYSELF,*WHEN*HE*SUDDENLY*SPRANG*OUT*OF*HIS*CHAIR*WITH*THE*GESTURE*OF*A*MAN*WHO*HAS*MADE*UP*HIS*MIND*AND*PUT*HIS*PIPE*DOWN*UPON*THE*MANTELPIECE.
"SARASATE*PLAYS*AT*THE*ST.*JAMES'S*HALL*THIS*AFTERNOON,"*HE*REMARKED.*"WHAT*DO*YOU*THINK,*WATSON?*COULD*YOUR*PATIENTS*SPARE*YOU*FOR*A*FEW*HOURS?"
"I*HAVE*NOTHING*TO*DO*TO-DAY.*MY*PRACTICE*IS*NEVER*VERY*ABSORBING."
"THEN*PUT*ON*YOUR*HAT*AND*COME.*I*AM*GOING*THROUGH*THE*CITY*FIRST,*AND*WE*CAN*HAVE*SOME*LUNCH*ON*THE*WAY.*I*OBSERVE*THAT*THERE*IS*A*GOOD*DEAL*OF*GERMAN*MUSIC*ON*THE*PROGRAMME,*WHICH*IS*RATHER*MORE*TO*MY*TASTE*THAN*ITALIAN*OR*FRENCH.*IT*IS*INTROSPECTIVE,*AND*I*WANT*TO*INTROSPECT.*COME*ALONG!"
"THANK*YOU,"*SAID*HOLMES,*"I*ONLY*WISHED*TO*ASK*YOU*HOW*YOU*WOULD*GO*FROM*HERE*TO*THE*STRAND."
"THIRD*RIGHT,*FOURTH*LEFT,"*ANSWERED*THE*ASSISTANT*PROMPTLY,*CLOSING*THE*DOOR.
"SMART*FELLOW,*THAT,"*OBSERVED*HOLMES*AS*WE*WALKED*AWAY.*"HE*IS,*IN*MY*JUDGMENT,*THE*FOURTH*SMARTEST*MAN*IN*LONDON,*AND*FOR*DARING*I*AM*NOT*SURE*THAT*HE*HAS*NOT*A*CLAIM*TO*BE*THIRD.*I*HAVE*KNOWN*SOMETHING*OF*HIM*BEFORE."
"EVIDENTLY,"*SAID*I,*"MR.*WILSON'S*ASSISTANT*COUNTS*FOR*A*GOOD*DEAL*IN*THIS*MYSTERY*OF*THE*RED-HEADED*LEAGUE.*I*AM*SURE*THAT*YOU*INQUIRED*YOUR*WAY*MERELY*IN*ORDER*THAT*YOU*MIGHT*SEE*HIM."
"NOT*HIM."
"WHAT*THEN?"
"THE*KNEES*OF*HIS*TROUSERS."
"AND*WHAT*DID*YOU*SEE?"
"WHAT*I*EXPECTED*TO*SEE."
"WHY*DID*YOU*BEAT*THE*PAVEMENT?"
"MY*DEAR*DOCTOR,*THIS*IS*A*TIME*FOR*OBSERVATION,*NOT*FOR*TALK.*WE*ARE*SPIES*IN*AN*ENEMY'S*COUNTRY.*WE*KNOW*SOMETHING*OF*SAXE-COBURG*SQUARE.*LET*US*NOW*EXPLORE*THE*PARTS*WHICH*LIE*BEHIND*IT."
THE*ROAD*IN*WHICH*WE*FOUND*OURSELVES*AS*WE*TURNED*ROUND*THE*CORNER*FROM*THE*RETIRED*SAXE-COBURG*SQUARE*PRESENTED*AS*GREAT*A*CONTRAST*TO*IT*AS*THE*FRONT*OF*A*PICTURE*DOES*TO*THE*BACK.*IT*WAS*ONE*OF*THE*MAIN*ARTERIES*WHICH*CONVEYED*THE*TRAFFIC*OF*THE*CITY*TO*THE*NORTH*AND*WEST.*THE*ROADWAY*WAS*BLOCKED*WITH*THE*IMMENSE*STREAM*OF*COMMERCE*FLOWING*IN*A*DOUBLE*TIDE*INWARD*AND*OUTWARD,*WHILE*THE*FOOTPATHS*WERE*BLACK*WITH*THE*HURRYING*SWARM*OF*PEDESTRIANS.*IT*WAS*DIFFICULT*TO*REALISE*AS*WE*LOOKED*AT*THE*LINE*OF*FINE*SHOPS*AND*STATELY*BUSINESS*PREMISES*THAT*THEY*REALLY*ABUTTED*ON*THE*OTHER*SIDE*UPON*THE*FADED*AND*STAGNANT*SQUARE*WHICH*WE*HAD*JUST*QUITTED.
"LET*ME*SEE,"*SAID*HOLMES,*STANDING*AT*THE*CORNER*AND*GLANCING*ALONG*THE*LINE,*"I*SHOULD*LIKE*JUST*TO*REMEMBER*THE*ORDER*OF*THE*HOUSES*HERE.*IT*IS*A*HOBBY*OF*MINE*TO*HAVE*AN*EXACT*KNOWLEDGE*OF*LONDON.*THERE*IS*MORTIMER'S,*THE*TOBACCONIST,*THE*LITTLE*NEWSPAPER*SHOP,*THE*COBURG*BRANCH*OF*THE*CITY*AND*SUBURBAN*BANK,*THE*VEGETARIAN*RESTAURANT,*AND*MCFARLANE'S*CARRIAGE-BUILDING*DEPOT.*THAT*CARRIES*US*RIGHT*ON*TO*THE*OTHER*BLOCK.*AND*NOW,*DOCTOR,*WE'VE*DONE*OUR*WORK,*SO*IT'S*TIME*WE*HAD*SOME*PLAY.*A*SANDWICH*AND*A*CUP*OF*COFFEE,*AND*THEN*OFF*TO*VIOLIN-LAND,*WHERE*ALL*IS*SWEETNESS*AND*DELICACY*AND*HARMONY,*AND*THERE*ARE*NO*RED-HEADED*CLIENTS*TO*VEX*US*WITH*THEIR*CONUNDRUMS."
"YOU*WANT*TO*GO*HOME,*NO*DOUBT,*DOCTOR,"*HE*REMARKED*AS*WE*EMERGED.
"YES,*IT*WOULD*BE*AS*WELL."
"AND*I*HAVE*SOME*BUSINESS*TO*DO*WHICH*WILL*TAKE*SOME*HOURS.*THIS*BUSINESS*AT*COBURG*SQUARE*IS*SERIOUS."
"WHY*SERIOUS?"
"A*CONSIDERABLE*CRIME*IS*IN*CONTEMPLATION.*I*HAVE*EVERY*REASON*TO*BELIEVE*THAT*WE*SHALL*BE*IN*TIME*TO*STOP*IT.*BUT*TO-DAY*BEING*SATURDAY*RATHER*COMPLICATES*MATTERS.*I*SHALL*WANT*YOUR*HELP*TO-NIGHT."
"AT*WHAT*TIME?"
"TEN*WILL*BE*EARLY*ENOUGH."
"I*SHALL*BE*AT*BAKER*STREET*AT*TEN."
"VERY*WELL.*AND,*I*SAY,*DOCTOR,*THERE*MAY*BE*SOME*LITTLE*DANGER,*SO*KINDLY*PUT*YOUR*ARMY*REVOLVER*IN*YOUR*POCKET."*HE*WAVED*HIS*HAND,*TURNED*ON*HIS*HEEL,*AND*DISAPPEARED*IN*AN*INSTANT*AMONG*THE*CROWD.
I*TRUST*THAT*I*AM*NOT*MORE*DENSE*THAN*MY*NEIGHBOURS,*BUT*I*WAS*ALWAYS*OPPRESSED*WITH*A*SENSE*OF*MY*OWN*STUPIDITY*IN*MY*DEALINGS*WITH*SHERLOCK*HOLMES.*HERE*I*HAD*HEARD*WHAT*HE*HAD*HEARD,*I*HAD*SEEN*WHAT*HE*HAD*SEEN,*AND*YET*FROM*HIS*WORDS*IT*WAS*EVIDENT*THAT*HE*SAW*CLEARLY*NOT*ONLY*WHAT*HAD*HAPPENED*BUT*WHAT*WAS*ABOUT*TO*HAPPEN,*WHILE*TO*ME*THE*WHOLE*BUSINESS*WAS*STILL*CONFUSED*AND*GROTESQUE.*AS*I*DROVE*HOME*TO*MY*HOUSE*IN*KENSINGTON*I*THOUGHT*OVER*IT*ALL,*FROM*THE*EXTRAORDINARY*STORY*OF*THE*RED-HEADED*COPIER*OF*THE*ENCYCLOPAEDIA*DOWN*TO*THE*VISIT*TO*SAXE-COBURG*SQUARE,*AND*THE*OMINOUS*WORDS*WITH*WHICH*HE*HAD*PARTED*FROM*ME.*WHAT*WAS*THIS*NOCTURNAL*EXPEDITION,*AND*WHY*SHOULD*I*GO*ARMED?*WHERE*WERE*WE*GOING,*AND*WHAT*WERE*WE*TO*DO?*I*HAD*THE*HINT*FROM*HOLMES*THAT*THIS*SMOOTH-FACED*PAWNBROKER'S*ASSISTANT*WAS*A*FORMIDABLE*MAN--A*MAN*WHO*MIGHT*PLAY*A*DEEP*GAME.*I*TRIED*TO*PUZZLE*IT*OUT,*BUT*GAVE*IT*UP*IN*DESPAIR*AND*SET*THE*MATTER*ASIDE*UNTIL*NIGHT*SHOULD*BRING*AN*EXPLANATION.
IT*WAS*A*QUARTER-PAST*NINE*WHEN*I*STARTED*FROM*HOME*AND*MADE*MY*WAY*ACROSS*THE*PARK,*AND*SO*THROUGH*OXFORD*STREET*TO*BAKER*STREET.*TWO*HANSOMS*WERE*STANDING*AT*THE*DOOR,*AND*AS*I*ENTERED*THE*PASSAGE*I*HEARD*THE*SOUND*OF*VOICES*FROM*ABOVE.*ON*ENTERING*HIS*ROOM,*I*FOUND*HOLMES*IN*ANIMATED*CONVERSATION*WITH*TWO*MEN,*ONE*OF*WHOM*I*RECOGNISED*AS*PETER*JONES,*THE*OFFICIAL*POLICE*AGENT,*WHILE*THE*OTHER*WAS*A*LONG,*THIN,*SAD-FACED*MAN,*WITH*A*VERY*SHINY*HAT*AND*OPPRESSIVELY*RESPECTABLE*FROCK-COAT.
"HA!*OUR*PARTY*IS*COMPLETE,"*SAID*HOLMES,*BUTTONING*UP*HIS*PEA-JACKET*AND*TAKING*HIS*HEAVY*HUNTING*CROP*FROM*THE*RACK.*"WATSON,*I*THINK*YOU*KNOW*MR.*JONES,*OF*SCOTLAND*YARD?*LET*ME*INTRODUCE*YOU*TO*MR.*MERRYWEATHER,*WHO*IS*TO*BE*OUR*COMPANION*IN*TO-NIGHT'S*ADVENTURE."
"WE'RE*HUNTING*IN*COUPLES*AGAIN,*DOCTOR,*YOU*SEE,"*SAID*JONES*IN*HIS*CONSEQUENTIAL*WAY.*"OUR*FRIEND*HERE*IS*A*WONDERFUL*MAN*FOR*STARTING*A*CHASE.*ALL*HE*WANTS*IS*AN*OLD*DOG*TO*HELP*HIM*TO*DO*THE*RUNNING*DOWN."
"I*HOPE*A*WILD*GOOSE*MAY*NOT*PROVE*TO*BE*THE*END*OF*OUR*CHASE,"*OBSERVED*MR.*MERRYWEATHER*GLOOMILY.
"YOU*MAY*PLACE*CONSIDERABLE*CONFIDENCE*IN*MR.*HOLMES,*SIR,"*SAID*THE*POLICE*AGENT*LOFTILY.*"HE*HAS*HIS*OWN*LITTLE*METHODS,*WHICH*ARE,*IF*HE*WON'T*MIND*MY*SAYING*SO,*JUST*A*LITTLE*TOO*THEORETICAL*AND*FANTASTIC,*BUT*HE*HAS*THE*MAKINGS*OF*A*DETECTIVE*IN*HIM.*IT*IS*NOT*TOO*MUCH*TO*SAY*THAT*ONCE*OR*TWICE,*AS*IN*THAT*BUSINESS*OF*THE*SHOLTO*MURDER*AND*THE*AGRA*TREASURE,*HE*HAS*BEEN*MORE*NEARLY*CORRECT*THAN*THE*OFFICIAL*FORCE."
"OH,*IF*YOU*SAY*SO,*MR.*JONES,*IT*IS*ALL*RIGHT,"*SAID*THE*STRANGER*WITH*DEFERENCE.*"STILL,*I*CONFESS*THAT*I*MISS*MY*RUBBER.*IT*IS*THE*FIRST*SATURDAY*NIGHT*FOR*SEVEN-AND-TWENTY*YEARS*THAT*I*HAVE*NOT*HAD*MY*RUBBER."
"I*THINK*YOU*WILL*FIND,"*SAID*SHERLOCK*HOLMES,*"THAT*YOU*WILL*PLAY*FOR*A*HIGHER*STAKE*TO-NIGHT*THAN*YOU*HAVE*EVER*DONE*YET,*AND*THAT*THE*PLAY*WILL*BE*MORE*EXCITING.*FOR*YOU,*MR.*MERRYWEATHER,*THE*STAKE*WILL*BE*SOME*$30,000;*AND*FOR*YOU,*JONES,*IT*WILL*BE*THE*MAN*UPON*WHOM*YOU*WISH*TO*LAY*YOUR*HANDS."
"JOHN*CLAY,*THE*MURDERER,*THIEF,*SMASHER,*AND*FORGER.*HE'S*A*YOUNG*MAN,*MR.*MERRYWEATHER,*BUT*HE*IS*AT*THE*HEAD*OF*HIS*PROFESSION,*AND*I*WOULD*RATHER*HAVE*MY*BRACELETS*ON*HIM*THAN*ON*ANY*CRIMINAL*IN*LONDON.*HE'S*A*REMARKABLE*MAN,*IS*YOUNG*JOHN*CLAY.*HIS*GRANDFATHER*WAS*A*ROYAL*DUKE,*AND*HE*HIMSELF*HAS*BEEN*TO*ETON*AND*OXFORD.*HIS*BRAIN*IS*AS*CUNNING*AS*HIS*FINGERS,*AND*THOUGH*WE*MEET*SIGNS*OF*HIM*AT*EVERY*TURN,*WE*NEVER*KNOW*WHERE*TO*FIND*THE*MAN*HIMSELF.*HE'LL*CRACK*A*CRIB*IN*SCOTLAND*ONE*WEEK,*AND*BE*RAISING*MONEY*TO*BUILD*AN*ORPHANAGE*IN*CORNWALL*THE*NEXT.*I'VE*BEEN*ON*HIS*TRACK*FOR*YEARS*AND*HAVE*NEVER*SET*EYES*ON*HIM*YET."
"I*HOPE*THAT*I*MAY*HAVE*THE*PLEASURE*OF*INTRODUCING*YOU*TO-NIGHT.*I'VE*HAD*ONE*OR*TWO*LITTLE*TURNS*ALSO*WITH*MR.*JOHN*CLAY,*AND*I*AGREE*WITH*YOU*THAT*HE*IS*AT*THE*HEAD*OF*HIS*PROFESSION.*IT*IS*PAST*TEN,*HOWEVER,*AND*QUITE*TIME*THAT*WE*STARTED.*IF*YOU*TWO*WILL*TAKE*THE*FIRST*HANSOM,*WATSON*AND*I*WILL*FOLLOW*IN*THE*SECOND."
SHERLOCK*HOLMES*WAS*NOT*VERY*COMMUNICATIVE*DURING*THE*LONG*DRIVE*AND*LAY*BACK*IN*THE*CAB*HUMMING*THE*TUNES*WHICH*HE*HAD*HEARD*IN*THE*AFTERNOON.*WE*RATTLED*THROUGH*AN*ENDLESS*LABYRINTH*OF*GAS-LIT*STREETS*UNTIL*WE*EMERGED*INTO*FARRINGTON*STREET.
"WE*ARE*CLOSE*THERE*NOW,"*MY*FRIEND*REMARKED.*"THIS*FELLOW*MERRYWEATHER*IS*A*BANK*DIRECTOR,*AND*PERSONALLY*INTERESTED*IN*THE*MATTER.*I*THOUGHT*IT*AS*WELL*TO*HAVE*JONES*WITH*US*ALSO.*HE*IS*NOT*A*BAD*FELLOW,*THOUGH*AN*ABSOLUTE*IMBECILE*IN*HIS*PROFESSION.*HE*HAS*ONE*POSITIVE*VIRTUE.*HE*IS*AS*BRAVE*AS*A*BULLDOG*AND*AS*TENACIOUS*AS*A*LOBSTER*IF*HE*GETS*HIS*CLAWS*UPON*ANYONE.*HERE*WE*ARE,*AND*THEY*ARE*WAITING*FOR*US."
WE*HAD*REACHED*THE*SAME*CROWDED*THOROUGHFARE*IN*WHICH*WE*HAD*FOUND*OURSELVES*IN*THE*MORNING.*OUR*CABS*WERE*DISMISSED,*AND,*FOLLOWING*THE*GUIDANCE*OF*MR.*MERRYWEATHER,*WE*PASSED*DOWN*A*NARROW*PASSAGE*AND*THROUGH*A*SIDE*DOOR,*WHICH*HE*OPENED*FOR*US.*WITHIN*THERE*WAS*A*SMALL*CORRIDOR,*WHICH*ENDED*IN*A*VERY*MASSIVE*IRON*GATE.*THIS*ALSO*WAS*OPENED,*AND*LED*DOWN*A*FLIGHT*OF*WINDING*STONE*STEPS,*WHICH*TERMINATED*AT*ANOTHER*FORMIDABLE*GATE.*MR.*MERRYWEATHER*STOPPED*TO*LIGHT*A*LANTERN,*AND*THEN*CONDUCTED*US*DOWN*A*DARK,*EARTH-SMELLING*PASSAGE,*AND*SO,*AFTER*OPENING*A*THIRD*DOOR,*INTO*A*HUGE*VAULT*OR*CELLAR,*WHICH*WAS*PILED*ALL*ROUND*WITH*CRATES*AND*MASSIVE*BOXES.
"YOU*ARE*NOT*VERY*VULNERABLE*FROM*ABOVE,"*HOLMES*REMARKED*AS*HE*HELD*UP*THE*LANTERN*AND*GAZED*ABOUT*HIM.
"NOR*FROM*BELOW,"*SAID*MR.*MERRYWEATHER,*STRIKING*HIS*STICK*UPON*THE*FLAGS*WHICH*LINED*THE*FLOOR.*"WHY,*DEAR*ME,*IT*SOUNDS*QUITE*HOLLOW!"*HE*REMARKED,*LOOKING*UP*IN*SURPRISE.
"I*MUST*REALLY*ASK*YOU*TO*BE*A*LITTLE*MORE*QUIET!"*SAID*HOLMES*SEVERELY.*"YOU*HAVE*ALREADY*IMPERILLED*THE*WHOLE*SUCCESS*OF*OUR*EXPEDITION.*MIGHT*I*BEG*THAT*YOU*WOULD*HAVE*THE*GOODNESS*TO*SIT*DOWN*UPON*ONE*OF*THOSE*BOXES,*AND*NOT*TO*INTERFERE?"
THE*SOLEMN*MR.*MERRYWEATHER*PERCHED*HIMSELF*UPON*A*CRATE,*WITH*A*VERY*INJURED*EXPRESSION*UPON*HIS*FACE,*WHILE*HOLMES*FELL*UPON*HIS*KNEES*UPON*THE*FLOOR*AND,*WITH*THE*LANTERN*AND*A*MAGNIFYING*LENS,*BEGAN*TO*EXAMINE*MINUTELY*THE*CRACKS*BETWEEN*THE*STONES.*A*FEW*SECONDS*SUFFICED*TO*SATISFY*HIM,*FOR*HE*SPRANG*TO*HIS*FEET*AGAIN*AND*PUT*HIS*GLASS*IN*HIS*POCKET.
"WE*HAVE*AT*LEAST*AN*HOUR*BEFORE*US,"*HE*REMARKED,*"FOR*THEY*CAN*HARDLY*TAKE*ANY*STEPS*UNTIL*THE*GOOD*PAWNBROKER*IS*SAFELY*IN*BED.*THEN*THEY*WILL*NOT*LOSE*A*MINUTE,*FOR*THE*SOONER*THEY*DO*THEIR*WORK*THE*LONGER*TIME*THEY*WILL*HAVE*FOR*THEIR*ESCAPE.*WE*ARE*AT*PRESENT,*DOCTOR--AS*NO*DOUBT*YOU*HAVE*DIVINED--IN*THE*CELLAR*OF*THE*CITY*BRANCH*OF*ONE*OF*THE*PRINCIPAL*LONDON*BANKS.*MR.*MERRYWEATHER*IS*THE*CHAIRMAN*OF*DIRECTORS,*AND*HE*WILL*EXPLAIN*TO*YOU*THAT*THERE*ARE*REASONS*WHY*THE*MORE*DARING*CRIMINALS*OF*LONDON*SHOULD*TAKE*A*CONSIDERABLE*INTEREST*IN*THIS*CELLAR*AT*PRESENT."
"IT*IS*OUR*FRENCH*GOLD,"*WHISPERED*THE*DIRECTOR.*"WE*HAVE*HAD*SEVERAL*WARNINGS*THAT*AN*ATTEMPT*MIGHT*BE*MADE*UPON*IT."
"YOUR*FRENCH*GOLD?"
"YES.*WE*HAD*OCCASION*SOME*MONTHS*AGO*TO*STRENGTHEN*OUR*RESOURCES*AND*BORROWED*FOR*THAT*PURPOSE*30,000*NAPOLEONS*FROM*THE*BANK*OF*FRANCE.*IT*HAS*BECOME*KNOWN*THAT*WE*HAVE*NEVER*HAD*OCCASION*TO*UNPACK*THE*MONEY,*AND*THAT*IT*IS*STILL*LYING*IN*OUR*CELLAR.*THE*CRATE*UPON*WHICH*I*SIT*CONTAINS*2,000*NAPOLEONS*PACKED*BETWEEN*LAYERS*OF*LEAD*FOIL.*OUR*RESERVE*OF*BULLION*IS*MUCH*LARGER*AT*PRESENT*THAN*IS*USUALLY*KEPT*IN*A*SINGLE*BRANCH*OFFICE,*AND*THE*DIRECTORS*HAVE*HAD*MISGIVINGS*UPON*THE*SUBJECT."
"WHICH*WERE*VERY*WELL*JUSTIFIED,"*OBSERVED*HOLMES.*"AND*NOW*IT*IS*TIME*THAT*WE*ARRANGED*OUR*LITTLE*PLANS.*I*EXPECT*THAT*WITHIN*AN*HOUR*MATTERS*WILL*COME*TO*A*HEAD.*IN*THE*MEANTIME*MR.*MERRYWEATHER,*WE*MUST*PUT*THE*SCREEN*OVER*THAT*DARK*LANTERN."
"AND*SIT*IN*THE*DARK?"
"I*AM*AFRAID*SO.*I*HAD*BROUGHT*A*PACK*OF*CARDS*IN*MY*POCKET,*AND*I*THOUGHT*THAT,*AS*WE*WERE*A*PARTIE*CARREE,*YOU*MIGHT*HAVE*YOUR*RUBBER*AFTER*ALL.*BUT*I*SEE*THAT*THE*ENEMY'S*PREPARATIONS*HAVE*GONE*SO*FAR*THAT*WE*CANNOT*RISK*THE*PRESENCE*OF*A*LIGHT.*AND,*FIRST*OF*ALL,*WE*MUST*CHOOSE*OUR*POSITIONS.*THESE*ARE*DARING*MEN,*AND*THOUGH*WE*SHALL*TAKE*THEM*AT*A*DISADVANTAGE,*THEY*MAY*DO*US*SOME*HARM*UNLESS*WE*ARE*CAREFUL.*I*SHALL*STAND*BEHIND*THIS*CRATE,*AND*DO*YOU*CONCEAL*YOURSELVES*BEHIND*THOSE.*THEN,*WHEN*I*FLASH*A*LIGHT*UPON*THEM,*CLOSE*IN*SWIFTLY.*IF*THEY*FIRE,*WATSON,*HAVE*NO*COMPUNCTION*ABOUT*SHOOTING*THEM*DOWN."
I*PLACED*MY*REVOLVER,*COCKED,*UPON*THE*TOP*OF*THE*WOODEN*CASE*BEHIND*WHICH*I*CROUCHED.*HOLMES*SHOT*THE*SLIDE*ACROSS*THE*FRONT*OF*HIS*LANTERN*AND*LEFT*US*IN*PITCH*DARKNESS--SUCH*AN*ABSOLUTE*DARKNESS*AS*I*HAVE*NEVER*BEFORE*EXPERIENCED.*THE*SMELL*OF*HOT*METAL*REMAINED*TO*ASSURE*US*THAT*THE*LIGHT*WAS*STILL*THERE,*READY*TO*FLASH*OUT*AT*A*MOMENT'S*NOTICE.*TO*ME,*WITH*MY*NERVES*WORKED*UP*TO*A*PITCH*OF*EXPECTANCY,*THERE*WAS*SOMETHING*DEPRESSING*AND*SUBDUING*IN*THE*SUDDEN*GLOOM,*AND*IN*THE*COLD*DANK*AIR*OF*THE*VAULT.
"THEY*HAVE*BUT*ONE*RETREAT,"*WHISPERED*HOLMES.*"THAT*IS*BACK*THROUGH*THE*HOUSE*INTO*SAXE-COBURG*SQUARE.*I*HOPE*THAT*YOU*HAVE*DONE*WHAT*I*ASKED*YOU,*JONES?"
"I*HAVE*AN*INSPECTOR*AND*TWO*OFFICERS*WAITING*AT*THE*FRONT*DOOR."
"THEN*WE*HAVE*STOPPED*ALL*THE*HOLES.*AND*NOW*WE*MUST*BE*SILENT*AND*WAIT."
WHAT*A*TIME*IT*SEEMED!*FROM*COMPARING*NOTES*AFTERWARDS*IT*WAS*BUT*AN*HOUR*AND*A*QUARTER,*YET*IT*APPEARED*TO*ME*THAT*THE*NIGHT*MUST*HAVE*ALMOST*GONE,*AND*THE*DAWN*BE*BREAKING*ABOVE*US.*MY*LIMBS*WERE*WEARY*AND*STIFF,*FOR*I*FEARED*TO*CHANGE*MY*POSITION;*YET*MY*NERVES*WERE*WORKED*UP*TO*THE*HIGHEST*PITCH*OF*TENSION,*AND*MY*HEARING*WAS*SO*ACUTE*THAT*I*COULD*NOT*ONLY*HEAR*THE*GENTLE*BREATHING*OF*MY*COMPANIONS,*BUT*I*COULD*DISTINGUISH*THE*DEEPER,*HEAVIER*IN-BREATH*OF*THE*BULKY*JONES*FROM*THE*THIN,*SIGHING*NOTE*OF*THE*BANK*DIRECTOR.*FROM*MY*POSITION*I*COULD*LOOK*OVER*THE*CASE*IN*THE*DIRECTION*OF*THE*FLOOR.*SUDDENLY*MY*EYES*CAUGHT*THE*GLINT*OF*A*LIGHT.
AT*FIRST*IT*WAS*BUT*A*LURID*SPARK*UPON*THE*STONE*PAVEMENT.*THEN*IT*LENGTHENED*OUT*UNTIL*IT*BECAME*A*YELLOW*LINE,*AND*THEN,*WITHOUT*ANY*WARNING*OR*SOUND,*A*GASH*SEEMED*TO*OPEN*AND*A*HAND*APPEARED,*A*WHITE,*ALMOST*WOMANLY*HAND,*WHICH*FELT*ABOUT*IN*THE*CENTRE*OF*THE*LITTLE*AREA*OF*LIGHT.*FOR*A*MINUTE*OR*MORE*THE*HAND,*WITH*ITS*WRITHING*FINGERS,*PROTRUDED*OUT*OF*THE*FLOOR.*THEN*IT*WAS*WITHDRAWN*AS*SUDDENLY*AS*IT*APPEARED,*AND*ALL*WAS*DARK*AGAIN*SAVE*THE*SINGLE*LURID*SPARK*WHICH*MARKED*A*CHINK*BETWEEN*THE*STONES.
ITS*DISAPPEARANCE,*HOWEVER,*WAS*BUT*MOMENTARY.*WITH*A*RENDING,*TEARING*SOUND,*ONE*OF*THE*BROAD,*WHITE*STONES*TURNED*OVER*UPON*ITS*SIDE*AND*LEFT*A*SQUARE,*GAPING*HOLE,*THROUGH*WHICH*STREAMED*THE*LIGHT*OF*A*LANTERN.*OVER*THE*EDGE*THERE*PEEPED*A*CLEAN-CUT,*BOYISH*FACE,*WHICH*LOOKED*KEENLY*ABOUT*IT,*AND*THEN,*WITH*A*HAND*ON*EITHER*SIDE*OF*THE*APERTURE,*DREW*ITSELF*SHOULDER-HIGH*AND*WAIST-HIGH,*UNTIL*ONE*KNEE*RESTED*UPON*THE*EDGE.*IN*ANOTHER*INSTANT*HE*STOOD*AT*THE*SIDE*OF*THE*HOLE*AND*WAS*HAULING*AFTER*HIM*A*COMPANION,*LITHE*AND*SMALL*LIKE*HIMSELF,*WITH*A*PALE*FACE*AND*A*SHOCK*OF*VERY*RED*HAIR.
"IT'S*ALL*CLEAR,"*HE*WHISPERED.*"HAVE*YOU*THE*CHISEL*AND*THE*BAGS?*GREAT*SCOTT!*JUMP,*ARCHIE,*JUMP,*AND*I'LL*SWING*FOR*IT!"
SHERLOCK*HOLMES*HAD*SPRUNG*OUT*AND*SEIZED*THE*INTRUDER*BY*THE*COLLAR.*THE*OTHER*DIVED*DOWN*THE*HOLE,*AND*I*HEARD*THE*SOUND*OF*RENDING*CLOTH*AS*JONES*CLUTCHED*AT*HIS*SKIRTS.*THE*LIGHT*FLASHED*UPON*THE*BARREL*OF*A*REVOLVER,*BUT*HOLMES'*HUNTING*CROP*CAME*DOWN*ON*THE*MAN'S*WRIST,*AND*THE*PISTOL*CLINKED*UPON*THE*STONE*FLOOR.
"IT'S*NO*USE,*JOHN*CLAY,"*SAID*HOLMES*BLANDLY.*"YOU*HAVE*NO*CHANCE*AT*ALL."
"SO*I*SEE,"*THE*OTHER*ANSWERED*WITH*THE*UTMOST*COOLNESS.*"I*FANCY*THAT*MY*PAL*IS*ALL*RIGHT,*THOUGH*I*SEE*YOU*HAVE*GOT*HIS*COAT-TAILS."
"THERE*ARE*THREE*MEN*WAITING*FOR*HIM*AT*THE*DOOR,"*SAID*HOLMES.
"OH,*INDEED!*YOU*SEEM*TO*HAVE*DONE*THE*THING*VERY*COMPLETELY.*I*MUST*COMPLIMENT*YOU."
"AND*I*YOU,"*HOLMES*ANSWERED.*"YOUR*RED-HEADED*IDEA*WAS*VERY*NEW*AND*EFFECTIVE."