adventures of sherlock holmes, the - doyle
TRANSCRIPT
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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