“Mycabbydrovefast。Idon”tthinkIeverdrovefaster，buttheothersweretherebeforeus。ThecabandlandauwiththeirsteaminghorseswereinfrontofthedoorwhenIarrived。Ipaidtheman，andhurriedintothechurch。TherewasnotasoultheresavethetwowhomIhadfollowed，andasurplicedclergyman，whoseemedtobeexpostulatingwiththem。Theywereallthreestandinginaknotinfrontofthealtar。Iloungedupthesideaislelikeanyotheridlerwhohasdroppedintoachurch。Suddenly，tomysurprise，thethreeatthealtarfacedroundtome，andGodfreyNortoncamerunningashardashecouldtowardme。
“”ThankGod！”hecried。”You”lldo。Come！Come！”
“”Whatthen？”Iasked。
“”Come，man，come；onlythreeminutes，oritwon”tbelegal。”
“Iwashalfdraggeduptothealtar，and，beforeIknewwhereI
was，Ifoundmyselfmumblingresponseswhichwerewhisperedinmyear，andvouchingforthingsofwhichIknewnothing，andgenerallyassistinginthesecuretyingupofIreneAdler，spinster，toGodfreyNorton，bachelor。Itwasalldoneinaninstant，andtherewasthegentlemanthankingmeontheonesideandtheladyontheother，whiletheclergymanbeamedonmeinfront。ItwasthemostpreposterouspositioninwhichIeverfoundmyselfinmylife，anditwasthethoughtofitthatstartedmelaughingjustnow。Itseemsthattherehadbeensomeinformalityabouttheirlicense；
thattheclergymanabsolutelyrefusedtomarrythemwithoutawitnessofsomesort，andthatmyluckyappearancesavedthebridegroomfromhavingtosallyoutintothestreetsinsearchofabestman。Thebridegavemeasovereign，andImeantowearitonmywatchchaininmemoryoftheoccasion。”
“Thisisaveryunexpectedturnofaffairs，“saidI；“andwhatthen？“
“Well，Ifoundmyplansveryseriouslymenaced。Itlookedasifthepairmighttakeanimmediatedeparture，andsonecessitateverypromptandenergeticmeasuresonmypart。Atthechurchdoor，however，theyseparated，hedrivingbacktotheTemple，andshetoherownhouse。”Ishalldriveoutintheparkatfiveasusual”
shesaid，asshelefthim。Iheardnomore。Theydroveawayindifferentdirections，andIwentofftomakemyownarrangements。”
“Whichare？“
“Somecoldbeefandaglassofbeer，“heanswered，ringingthebell。“Ihavebeentoobusytothinkoffood，andIamlikelytobebusierstillthisevening。Bytheway，doctor，Ishallwantyourcooperation。”
“Ishallbedelighted。”
“Youdon”tmindbreakingthelaw？“
“Notintheleast。”
“Norrunningachanceofarrest？“
“Notinagoodcause。”
“Oh，thecauseisexcellent！“
“ThenIamyourman。”
“IwassurethatImightrelyonyou。”
“Butwhatisityouwish？“
“WhenMrs。TurnerhasbroughtinthetrayIwillmakeitcleartoyou。Now，“hesaid，asheturnedhungrilyonthesimplefarethatourlandladyhadprovided，“ImustdiscussitwhileIeat，forI
havenotmuchtime。Itisnearlyfivenow。Intwohourswemustbeonthesceneofaction。MissIrene，orMadame，rather，returnsfromherdriveatseven。WemustbeatBrionyLodgetomeether。”
“Andwhatthen？“
“Youmustleavethattome。Ihavealreadyarrangedwhatistooccur。ThereisonlyonepointonwhichImustinsist。Youmustnotinterfere，comewhatmay。Youunderstand？“
“Iamtobeneutral？“
“Todonothingwhatever。Therewillprobablybesomesmallunpleasantness。Donotjoininit。Itwillendinmybeingconveyedintothehouse。Fourorfiveminutesafterwardsthesitting-roomwindowwillopen。Youaretostationyourselfclosetothatopenwindow。”
“Yes。”
“Youaretowatchme，forIwillbevisibletoyou。”
“Yes。”
“AndwhenIraisemyhand——so——youwillthrowintotheroomwhatI
giveyoutothrow，andwill，atthesametime，raisethecryoffire。Youquitefollowme？“
“Entirely。”
“Itisnothingveryformidable，“hesaid，takingalong，cigar-
shapedrollfromhispocket。“Itisanordinaryplumber”ssmoke-
rocket，fittedwithacapateitherend，tomakeitself-lighting。
Yourtaskisconfinedtothat。Whenyouraiseyourcryoffire，itwillbetakenupbyquiteanumberofpeople。Youmaythenwalktotheendofthestreet，andIwillrejoinyouintenminutes。I
hopethatIhavemademyselfclear？“
“Iamtoremainneutral，togetnearthewindow，towatchyou，and，atthesignal，tothrowinthisobject，thentoraisethecryoffireandtowaityouatthecornerofthestreet。”
“Precisely。”
“Thenyoumayentirelyrelyonme。”
“Thatisexcellent。Ithink，perhaps，itisalmosttimethatI
preparedforthenewroleIhavetoplay。”
Hedisappearedintohisbedroom，andreturnedinafewminutesinthecharacterofanamiableandsimple-mindedNonconformistclergyman。Hisbroad，blackhat，hisbaggytrousers，hiswhitetie，hissympatheticsmile，andgenerallookofpeeringandbenevolentcuriosityweresuchasMr。JohnHarealonecouldhaveequaled。ItwasnotmerelythatHolmeschangedhiscostume。Hisexpression，hismanner，hisverysoulseemedtovarywitheveryfreshpartthatheassumed。Thestagelostafineactor，evenassciencelostanacutereasoner，whenhebecameaspecialistincrime。
ItwasaquarterpastsixwhenweleftBakerStreet，anditstillwantedtenminutestothehourwhenwefoundourselvesinSerpentineAvenue。Itwasalreadydusk，andthelampswerejustbeinglightedaswepacedupanddowninfrontofBrionyLodge，waitingforthecomingofitsoccupant。ThehousewasjustsuchasIhadpictureditfromSherlockHolmes”ssuccinctdescription，butthelocalityappearedtobelessprivatethanIexpected。Onthecontrary，forasmallstreetinaquietneighborhood，itwasremarkablyanimated。Therewasagroupofshabbilydressedmensmokingandlaughinginacorner，ascissorsgrinderwithhiswheel，twoguardsmenwhowereflirtingwithanursegirl，andseveralwell-dressedyoungmenwhowereloungingupanddownwithcigarsintheirmouths。
“Yousee，“remarkedHolmes，aswepacedtoandfroinfrontofthehouse，“thismarriagerathersimplifiesmatters。Thephotographbecomesadouble-edgedweaponnow。ThechancesarethatshewouldbeasaversetoitsbeingseenbyMr。GodfreyNortonasourclientistoitscomingtotheeyesofhisprincess。Nowthequestionis——
wherearewetofindthephotograph？“
“Where，indeed？“
“Itismostunlikelythatshecarriesitaboutwithher。Itiscabinetsize。Toolargeforeasyconcealmentaboutawoman”sdress。Sheknowsthatthekingiscapableofhavingherwaylaidandsearched。Twoattemptsofthesorthavealreadybeenmade。Wemaytakeit，then，thatshedoesnotcarryitaboutwithher。”
“Where，then？“
“Herbankerorherlawyer。Thereisthatdoublepossibility。ButIaminclinedtothinkneither。Womenarenaturallysecretive，andtheyliketodotheirownsecreting。Whyshouldshehanditovertoanyoneelse？Shecouldtrustherownguardianship，butshecouldnottellwhatindirectorpoliticalinfluencemightbebroughttobearuponabusinessman。Besides，rememberthatshehadresolvedtouseitwithinafewdays。Itmustbewhereshecanlayherhandsuponit。Itmustbeinherownhouse。”
“Butithastwicebeenburglarized。”
“Pshaw！Theydidnotknowhowtolook。”
“Buthowwillyoulook？“
“Iwillnotlook。”
“Whatthen？“
“Iwillgethertoshowme。”
“Butshewillrefuse。”
“Shewillnotbeableto。ButIheartherumbleofwheels。Itishercarriage。Nowcarryoutmyorderstotheletter。”
Ashespoke，thegleamofthesidelightsofacarriagecameroundthecurveoftheavenue。ItwasasmartlittlelandauwhichrattleduptothedoorofBrionyLodge。Asitpulleduponeoftheloafingmenatthecornerdashedforwardtoopenthedoorinthehopeofearningacopper，butwaselbowedawaybyanotherloaferwhohadrushedupwiththesameintention。Afiercequarrelbrokeoutwhichwasincreasedbythetwoguardsmen，whotooksideswithoneoftheloungers，andbythescissorsgrinder，whowasequallyhotupontheotherside。Ablowwasstruck，andinaninstantthelady，whohadsteppedfromhercarriage，wasthecenterofalittleknotofstrugglingmenwhostrucksavagelyateachotherwiththeirfistsandsticks。Holmesdashedintothecrowdtoprotectthelady；but，justashereachedher，hegaveacryanddroppedtotheground，withthebloodrunningfreelydownhisface。Athisfalltheguardsmentooktotheirheelsinonedirectionandtheloungersintheother，whileanumberofbetter-dressedpeoplewhohadwatchedthescufflewithouttakingpartinitcrowdedintohelptheladyandtoattendtotheinjuredman。IreneAdler，asIwillstillcallher，hadhurriedupthesteps；butshestoodatthetop，withhersuperbfigureoutlinedagainstthelightsoftheball，lookingbackintothestreet。
“Isthepoorgentlemanmuchhurt？“sheasked。
“Heisdead，“criedseveralvoices。
“No，no，there”slifeinhim，“shoutedanother。“Buthe”llbegonebeforeyoucangethimtothehospital。”
“He”sabravefellow，“saidawoman。“Theywouldhavehadthelady”spurseandwatchifithadn”tbeenforhim。Theywereagang，andaroughone，too。Ah！he”sbreathingnow。”
“Hecan”tlieinthestreet。Maywebringhimin，marm？“
“Surely。Bringhimintothesittingroom。Thereisacomfortablesofa。Thisway，please。”SlowlyandsolemnlyhewasborneintoBrionyLodge，andlaidoutintheprincipalroom，whileIstillobservedtheproceedingsfrommypostbythewindow。Thelampshadbeenlighted，buttheblindshadnotbeendrawn，sothatIcouldseeHolmesashelayuponthecouch。Idonotknowwhetherhewasseizedwithcompunctionatthatmomentfortheparthewasplaying，butIknowthatIneverfeltmoreheartilyashamedofmyselfinmylifethanwhenIsawthebeautifulcreatureagainstwhomIwasconspiring，orthegraceandkindlinesswithwhichshewaitedupontheinjuredman。AndyetitwouldbetheblackesttreacherytoHolmestodrawbacknowfromthepartwhichhehadintrustedtome。
Ihardenedmyheart，andtookthesmoke-rocketfromundermyulster。Afterall，Ithought，wearenotinjuringher。Wearebutpreventingherfrominjuringanother。
Holmeshadsatuponthecouch，andIsawhimmotionlikeamanwhoisinneedofair。Amaidrushedacrossandthrewopenthewindow。
AtthesameinstantIsawhimraisehishand，andatthesignalI
tossedmyrocketintotheroomwithacryof“Fire！“Thewordwasnosooneroutofmymouththanthewholecrowdofspectators，welldressedandill——gentlemen，hostlers，andservantmaids——joinedinageneralshriekof“Fire！“Thickcloudsofsmokecurledthroughtheroom，andoutattheopenwindow。Icaughtaglimpseofrushingfigures，andamomentlaterthevoiceofHolmesfromwithinassuringthemthatitwasafalsealarm。Slippingthroughtheshoutingcrowd，Imademywaytothecornerofthestreet，andintenminuteswasrejoicedtofindmyfriend”sarminmine，andtogetawayfromthesceneofuproar。Hewalkedswiftlyandinsilenceforsomefewminutes，untilwehadturneddownoneofthequietstreetswhichledtowardtheEdgewareRoad。
“Youdiditverynicely，doctor，“heremarked。“Nothingcouldhavebeenbetter。Itisallright。”
“Youhavethephotograph？“
“Iknowwhereitis。”
“Andhowdidyoufindout？“
“Sheshowedme，asItoldyouthatshewould。”
“Iamstillinthedark。”
“Idonotwishtomakeamystery，“saidhe，laughing。“Thematterwasperfectlysimple。You，ofcourse，sawthateveryoneinthestreetwasanaccomplice。Theywereallengagedfortheevening。”
“Iguessedasmuch。”
“Then，whentherowbrokeout，Ihadalittlemoistredpaintinthepalmofmyhand。Irushedforward，felldown，clappedmyhandtomyface，andbecameapiteousspectacle。Itisanoldtrick。”
“ThatalsoIcouldfathom。”
“Thentheycarriedmein。Shewasboundtohavemein。Whatelsecouldshedo？Andintohersittingroom，whichwastheveryroomwhichIsuspected。Itlaybetweenthatandherbedroom，andIwasdeterminedtoseewhich。Theylaidmeonacouch，Imotionedforair，theywerecompelledtoopenthewindow，andyouhadyourchance。”
“Howdidthathelpyou？“
“Itwasall-important。Whenawomanthinksthatherhouseisonfire，herinstinctisatoncetorushtothethingwhichshevaluesmost。Itisaperfectlyoverpoweringimpulse，andIhavemorethanoncetakenadvantageofit。InthecaseoftheDarlingtonSubstitutionScandalitwasofusetome，andalsointheArnsworthCastlebusiness。Amarriedwomangrabsatherbaby——anunmarriedonereachesforherjewelbox。Nowitwascleartomethatourladyofto-dayhadnothinginthehousemoreprecioustoherthanwhatweareinquestof。Shewouldrushtosecureit。Thealarmoffirewasadmirablydone。Thesmokeandshoutingwereenoughtoshakenervesofsteel。Sherespondedbeautifully。Thephotographisinarecessbehindaslidingpaneljustabovetherightbell-
pull。Shewasthereinaninstant，andIcaughtaglimpseofitasshedrewitout。WhenIcriedoutthatitwasafalsealarm，shereplacedit，glancedattherocket，rushedfromtheroom，andI
havenotseenhersince。Irose，and，makingmyexcuses，escapedfromthehouse。Ihesitatedwhethertoattempttosecurethephotographatonce；butthecoachmanhadcomein，andashewaswatchingmenarrowly，itseemedsafertowait。Alittleover-
precipitancemayruinall。”
“Andnow？“Iasked。
“Ourquestispracticallyfinished。Ishallcallwiththekingto-
morrow，andwithyou，ifyoucaretocomewithus。Wewillbeshownintothesittingroomtowaitforthelady，butitisprobablethatwhenshecomesshemayfindneitherusnorthephotograph。Itmightbeasatisfactiontohismajestytoregainitwithhisownhands。”
“Andwhenwillyoucall？“
“Ateightinthemorning。Shewillnotbeup，sothatweshallhaveaclearfield。Besides，wemustbeprompt，forthismarriagemaymeanacompletechangeinherlifeandhabits。Imustwiretothekingwithoutdelay。”
WehadreachedBakerStreet，andhadstoppedatthedoor。Hewassearchinghispocketsforthekey，whensomeonepassingsaid：
“Goodnight，MisterSherlockHolmes。”
Therewereseveralpeopleonthepavementatthetime，butthegreetingappearedtocomefromaslimyouthinanulsterwhohadhurriedby。
“I”veheardthatvoicebefore，“saidHolmes，staringdownthedimlylightedstreet。“Now，Iwonderwhothedeucethatcouldhavebeen？“
III
IsleptatBakerStreetthatnight，andwewereengageduponourtoastandcoffeeinthemorning，whentheKingofBohemiarushedintotheroom。
“Youhavereallygotit？“hecried，graspingSherlockHolmesbyeithershoulder，andlookingeagerlyintohisface。
“Notyet。”
“Butyouhavehopes？“
“Ihavehopes。”
“Thencome。Iamallimpatiencetobegone。”
“Wemusthaveacab。”
“No，mybroughamiswaiting。”
“Thenthatwillsimplifymatters。”Wedescended，andstartedoffoncemoreforBrionyLodge。
“IreneAdlerismarried，“remarkedHolmes。
“Married！When？“
“Yesterday。”
“Buttowhom？“
“ToanEnglishlawyernamedNorton。”
“Butshecouldnotlovehim。”
“Iaminhopesthatshedoes。”
“Andwhyinhopes？“
“Becauseitwouldspareyourmajestyallfearoffutureannoyance。
Iftheladylovesherhusband，shedoesnotloveyourmajesty。Ifshedoesnotloveyourmajesty，thereisnoreasonwhysheshouldinterferewithyourmajesty”splan。”
“Itistrue。Andyet——Well，Iwishshehadbeenofmyownstation。Whataqueenshewouldhavemade！“Herelapsedintoamoodysilence，whichwasnotbrokenuntilwedrewupinSerpentineAvenue。
ThedoorofBrionyLodgewasopen，andanelderlywomanstooduponthesteps。Shewatcheduswithasardoniceyeaswesteppedfromthebrougham。
“Mr。SherlockHolmes，Ibelieve？“saidshe。
“IamMr。Holmes，“answeredmycompanion，lookingatherwithaquestioningandratherstartledgaze。
“Indeed！Mymistresstoldmethatyouwerelikelytocall。Sheleftthismorning，withherhusband，bythe5：15trainfromCharingCross，fortheContinent。”
“What！“SherlockHolmesstaggeredback，whitewithchagrinandsurprise。
“DoyoumeanthatshehasleftEngland？“
“Nevertoreturn。”
“Andthepapers？“askedthekinghoarsely。“Allislost！“
“Weshallsee。”Hepushedpasttheservant，andrushedintothedrawing-room，followedbythekingandmyself。Thefurniturewasscatteredaboutineverydirection，withdismantledshelves，andopendrawers，asiftheladyhadhurriedlyransackedthembeforeherflight。Holmesrushedatthebell-pull，torebackasmallslidingshutter，andplunginginhishand，pulledoutaphotographandaletter。ThephotographwasofIreneAdlerherselfineveningdress；theletterwassuperscribedto“SherlockHolmes，Esq。Tobelefttillcalledfor。”Myfriendtoreitopen，andweallthreereadittogether。Itwasdatedatmidnightoftheprecedingnight，andraninthisway：
“MYDEARMR。SHERLOCKHOLMES，——Youreallydiditverywell。Youtookmeincompletely。Untilafterthealarmofthefire，Ihadnotasuspicion。Butthen，whenIfoundhowIhadbetrayedmyself，Ibegantothink。Ihadbeenwarnedagainstyoumonthsago。Ihadbeentoldthatifthekingemployedanagent，itwouldcertainlybeyou。Andyouraddresshadbeengivenme。Yet，withallthis，youmademerevealwhatyouwantedtoknow。EvenafterIbecamesuspicious，Ifoundithardtothinkevilofsuchadear，kindoldclergyman。But，youknow，Ihavebeentrainedasanactressmyself。Malecostumeisnothingnewtome。Ioftentakeadvantageofthefreedomwhichitgives。IsentJohn，thecoachman，towatchyou，ranupstairs，gotintomywalkingclothes，asIcallthem，andcamedownjustasyoudeparted。
“Well，Ifollowedyoutothedoor，andsomadesurethatIwasreallyanobjectofinteresttothecelebratedMr。SherlockHolmes。
ThenI，ratherimprudently，wishedyougoodnight，andstartedfortheTempletoseemyhusband。
“Weboththoughtthebestresourcewasflightwhenpursuedbysoformidableanantagonist；soyouwillfindthenestemptywhenyoucallto-morrow。Astothephotograph，yourclientmayrestinpeace。Iloveandamlovedbyabettermanthanhe。Thekingmaydowhathewillwithouthindrancefromonewhomhehascruellywronged。Ikeepitonlytosafeguardmyself，andpreserveaweaponwhichwillalwayssecuremefromanystepswhichhemighttakeinthefuture。Ileaveaphotographwhichhemightcaretopossess；
andIremain，dearMr。SherlockHolmes，verytrulyyours，“IRENENORTON，neeADLER。”
“Whatawoman——oh，whatawoman！“criedtheKingofBohemia，whenwehadallthreereadthisepistle。“DidInottellyouhowquickandresoluteshewas？Wouldshenothavemadeanadmirablequeen？
Isitnotapitythatshewasnotonmylevel？“
“FromwhatIhaveseenofthelady，sheseemsindeedtobeonaverydifferentleveltoyourmajesty，“saidHolmescoldly。“IamsorrythatIhavenotbeenabletobringyourmajesty”sbusinesstoamoresuccessfulconclusion。”
“Onthecontrary，mydearsir，“criedtheking，“nothingcouldbemoresuccessful。Iknowthatherwordisinviolate。Thephotographisnowassafeasifitwereinthefire。”
“Iamgladtohearyourmajestysayso。”
“Iamimmenselyindebtedtoyou。PraytellmeinwhatwayIcanrewardyou。Thisring”Heslippedanemeraldsnakeringfromhisfinger，andhelditoutuponthepalmofhishand。
“YourmajestyhassomethingwhichIshouldvalueevenmorehighly，“
saidHolmes。
“Youhavebuttonameit。”
“Thisphotograph！“
Thekingstaredathiminamazement。
“Irene”sphotograph！“hecried。“Certainly，ifyouwishit。”
“Ithankyourmajesty。Thenthereisnomoretobedoneinthematter。Ihavethehonortowishyouaverygoodmorning。”Hebowed，andturningawaywithoutobservingthehandwhichthekinghadstretchedouttohim，hesetoffinmycompanyforhischambers。
AndthatwashowagreatscandalthreatenedtoaffectthekingdomofBohemia，andhowthebestplansofMr。SherlockHolmeswerebeatenbyawoman”swit。Heusedtomakemerryovertheclevernessofwomen，butIhavenotheardhimdoitoflate。AndwhenhespeaksofIreneAdler，orwhenhereferstoherphotograph，itisalwaysunderthehonorabletitleofTHEwoman。
TheRed-HeadedLeagueIhadcalleduponmyfriend，Mr。SherlockHolmes，onedayintheautumnoflastyear，andfoundhimindeepconversationwithaverystout，florid-facedelderlygentleman，withfieryredhair。Withanapologyformyintrusion，Iwasabouttowithdraw，whenHolmespulledmeabruptlyintotheroomandclosedthedoorbehindme。
“Youcouldnotpossiblyhavecomeatabettertime，mydearWatson，“hesaid，cordially。
“Iwasafraidthatyouwereengaged。”
“SoIam。Verymuchso。”
“ThenIcanwaitinthenextroom。”
“Notatall。Thisgentleman，Mr。Wilson，hasbeenmypartnerandhelperinmanyofmymostsuccessfulcases，andIhavenodoubtthathewillbeoftheutmostusetomeinyoursalso。”
Thestoutgentlemanhalfrosefromhischairandgaveabobofgreeting，withaquicklittlequestioningglancefromhissmall，fat-encircledeyes。
“Trythesettee，“saidHolmes，relapsingintohisarmchair，andputtinghisfingertipstogether，aswashiscustomwheninjudicialmoods。“Iknow，mydearWatson，thatyousharemyloveofallthatisbizarreandoutsidetheconventionsandhumdrumroutineofeverydaylife。Youhaveshownyourrelishforitbytheenthusiasmwhichhaspromptedyoutochronicle，and，ifyouwillexcusemysayingso，somewhattoembellishsomanyofmyownlittleadventures。”
“Yourcaseshaveindeedbeenofthegreatestinteresttome，“I
observed。
“YouwillrememberthatIremarkedtheotherday，justbeforewewentintotheverysimpleproblempresentedbyMissMarySutherland，thatforstrangeeffectsandextraordinarycombinationswemustgotolifeitself，whichisalwaysfarmoredaringthananyeffortoftheimagination。”
“ApropositionwhichItookthelibertyofdoubting。”
“Youdid，doctor，butnonethelessyoumustcomeroundtomyview，forotherwiseIshallkeeponpilingfactuponfactonyou，untilyourreasonbreaksdownunderthemandacknowledgemetoberight。
Now，Mr。JabezWilsonherehasbeengoodenoughtocalluponmethismorning，andtobeginanarrativewhichpromisestobeoneofthemostsingularwhichIhavelistenedtoforsometime。Youhaveheardmeremarkthatthestrangestandmostuniquethingsareveryoftenconnectednotwiththelargerbutwiththesmallercrimes，andoccasionally，indeed，wherethereisroomfordoubtwhetheranypositivecrimehasbeencommitted。AsfarasIhaveheard，itisimpossibleformetosaywhetherthepresentcaseisaninstanceofcrimeornot，butthecourseofeventsiscertainlyamongthemostsingularthatIhaveeverlistenedto。Perhaps，Mr。Wilson，youwouldhavethegreatkindnesstorecommenceyournarrative。Iaskyou，notmerelybecausemyfriend，Dr。Watson，hasnotheardtheopeningpart，butalsobecausethepeculiarnatureofthestorymakesmeanxioustohaveeverypossibledetailfromyourlips。Asarule，whenIhaveheardsomeslightindicationofthecourseofeventsIamabletoguidemyselfbythethousandsofothersimilarcaseswhichoccurtomymemory。InthepresentinstanceIamforcedtoadmitthatthefactsare，tothebestofmybelief，unique。”
Theportlyclientpuffedouthischestwithanappearanceofsomelittlepride，andpulledadirtyandwrinklednewspaperfromtheinsidepocketofhisgreatcoat。Asheglanceddowntheadvertisementcolumn，withhisheadthrustforward，andthepaperflattenedoutuponhisknee，Itookagoodlookattheman，andendeavored，afterthefashionofmycompanion，toreadtheindicationswhichmightbepresentedbyhisdressorappearance。
Ididnotgainverymuch，however，bymyinspection。OurvisitorboreeverymarkofbeinganaveragecommonplaceBritishtradesman，obese，pompous，andslow。Heworeratherbaggygrayshepherd”schecktrousers，anotover-cleanblackfrockcoat，unbuttonedinthefront，andadrabwaistcoatwithaheavybrassyAlbertchain，andasquarepiercedbitofmetaldanglingdownasanornament。A
frayedtophatandafadedbrownovercoatwithawrinkledvelvetcollarlayuponachairbesidehim。Altogether，lookasIwould，therewasnothingremarkableaboutthemansavehisblazingredheadandtheexpressionofextremechagrinanddiscontentuponhisfeatures。
SherlockHolmes”squickeyetookinmyoccupation，andheshookhisheadwithasmileashenoticedmyquestioningglances。“Beyondtheobviousfactsthathehasatsometimedonemanuallabor，thathetakessnuff，thatheisaFreemason，thathehasbeeninChina，andthathehasdoneaconsiderableamountofwritinglately，Icandeducenothingelse。”
Mr。JabezWilsonstartedupinhischair，withhisforefingeruponthepaper，buthiseyesuponmycompanion。
How，inthenameofgoodfortune，didyouknowallthat，Mr。
Holmes？“heasked。“Howdidyouknow，forexample，thatIdidmanuallabor？It”sastrueasgospel，forIbeganasaship”scarpenter。”
“Yourhands，mydearsir。Yourrighthandisquiteasizelargerthanyourleft。Youhaveworkedwithitandthemusclesaremoredeveloped。”
“Well，thesnuff，then，andtheFreemasonry？“
“Iwon”tinsultyourintelligencebytellingyouhowIreadthat，especiallyas，ratheragainstthestrictrulesofyourorder，youuseanarcandcompassbreastpin。”
“Ah，ofcourse，Iforgotthat。Butthewriting？“
“Whatelsecanbeindicatedbythatrightcuffsoveryshinyforfiveinches，andtheleftonewiththesmoothpatchneartheelbowwhereyourestituponthedesk。”
“Well，butChina？“
“ThefishwhichyouhavetattooedimmediatelyaboveyourwristcouldonlyhavebeendoneinChina。Ihavemadeasmallstudyoftattoomarks，andhaveevencontributedtotheliteratureofthesubject。Thattrickofstainingthefishes”scalesofadelicatepinkisquitepeculiartoChina。When，inaddition，IseeaChinesecoinhangingfromyourwatchchain，thematterbecomesevenmoresimple。”
Mr。JabezWilsonlaughedheavily。“Well，Inever！“saidhe。“I
thoughtatfirstthatyouhaddonesomethingclever，butIseethattherewasnothinginitafterall。”
“Ibegintothink，Watson，“saidHolmes，“thatImakeamistakeinexplaining。”Omneignotompromagnifico”youknow，andmypoorlittlereputation，suchasitis，willsuffershipwreckifIamsocandid。Canyounotfindtheadvertisement，Mr。Wilson？“
“Yes，Ihavegotitnow，“heanswered，withhisthick，redfingerplantedhalfwaydownthecolumn。“Hereitis。Thisiswhatbeganitall。Youjustreaditforyourself，sir。”
Itookthepaperfromhimandreadasfollows：
“TOTHERED-HEADEDLEAGUE：OnaccountofthebequestofthelateEzekiahHopkins，ofLebanon，Pa。，U。S。A。，thereisnowanothervacancyopenwhichentitlesamemberoftheLeaguetoasalaryoffourpoundsaweekforpurelynominalservices。Allred-headedmenwhoaresoundinbodyandmindandabovetheageoftwenty-oneyearsareeligible。ApplyinpersononMonday，ateleveno”clock，toDuncanRoss，attheofficesoftheLeague，7Pope”sCourt，FleetStreet。”
“Whatonearthdoesthismean？“Iejaculated，afterIhadtwicereadovertheextraordinaryannouncement。
Holmeschuckledandwriggledinhischair，aswashishabitwheninhighspirits。“Itisalittleoffthebeatentrack，isn”tit？“
saidhe。“Andnow，Mr。Wilson，offyougoatscratch，andtellusallaboutyourself，yourhousehold，andtheeffectwhichthisadvertisementhaduponyourfortunes。Youwillfirstmakeanote，doctor，ofthepaperandthedate。”
“ItisTheMorningChronicleofApril27，1890。Justtwomonthsago。”
“Verygood。Now，Mr。Wilson。”
“Well，itisjustasIhavebeentellingyou，Mr。SherlockHolmes，“
saidJabezWilson，moppinghisforehead，“Ihaveasmallpawnbroker”sbusinessatSaxe-CoburgSquare，neartheCity。It”snotaverylargeaffair，andoflateyearsithasnotdonemorethanjustgivemealiving。Iusedtobeabletokeeptwoassistants，butnowIonlykeepone；andIwouldhaveajobtopayhimbutthatheiswillingtocomeforhalfwages，soastolearnthebusiness。”
“Whatisthenameofthisobligingyouth？“askedSherlockHolmes。
“HisnameisVincentSpaulding，andhe”snotsuchayoutheither。
It”shardtosayhisage。Ishouldnotwishasmarterassistant，Mr。Holmes；andIknowverywellthathecouldbetterhimself，andearntwicewhatIamabletogivehim。But，afterall，ifheissatisfied，whyshouldIputideasinhishead？“
“Why，indeed？Youseemmostfortunateinhavinganemployeewhocomesunderthefullmarketprice。Itisnotacommonexperienceamongemployersinthisage。Idon”tknowthatyourassistantisnotasremarkableasyouradvertisement。”
“Oh，hehashisfaults，too，“saidMr。Wilson。“Neverwassuchafellowforphotography。Snappingawaywithacamerawhenheoughttobeimprovinghismind，andthendivingdownintothecellarlikearabbitintoitsholetodevelophispictures。Thatishismainfault；but，onthewhole，he”sagoodworker。There”snoviceinhim。”
“Heisstillwithyou，Ipresume？“
“Yes，sir。Heandagirloffourteen，whodoesabitofsimplecooking，andkeepstheplaceclean——that”sallIhaveinthehouse，forIamawidower，andneverhadanyfamily。Weliveveryquietly，sir，thethreeofus；andwekeeparoofoverourheads，andpayourdebts，ifwedonothingmore。
“Thefirstthingthatputusoutwasthatadvertisement。
Spaulding，hecamedownintotheofficejustthisdayeightweeks，withthisverypaperinhishand，andhesays：
“”IwishtotheLord，Mr。Wilson，thatIwasaredheadedman。”
“”Whythat？”Iasks。
“”Why”sayshe，”here”sanothervacancyontheLeagueoftheRed-
headedMen。It”sworthquitealittlefortunetoanymanwhogetsit，andIunderstandthattherearemorevacanciesthantherearemen，sothatthetrusteesareattheirwits”endwhattodowiththemoney。Ifmyhairwouldonlychangecolorhere”sanicelittlecriballreadyformetostepinto。”
“”Why，whatisit，then？”Iasked。Yousee，Mr。Holmes，Iamaverystay-at-homeman，and，asmybusinesscametomeinsteadofmyhavingtogotoit，Iwasoftenweeksonendwithoutputtingmyfootoverthedoormat。InthatwayIdidn”tknowmuchofwhatwasgoingonoutside，andIwasalwaysgladofabitofnews。
“”HaveyouneverheardoftheLeagueoftheRed-headedMen？”heasked，withhiseyesopen。
“”Never。”
“”Why，Iwonderatthat，foryouareeligibleyourselfforoneofthevacancies。”
“”Andwhataretheyworth？”Iasked。
“”Oh，merelyacoupleofhundredayear，buttheworkisslight，anditneednotinterfereverymuchwithone”sotheroccupations。”
“Well，youcaneasilythinkthatthatmademeprickupmyears，forthebusinesshasnotbeenovergoodforsomeyears，andanextracoupleofhundredwouldhavebeenveryhandy。
“”Tellmeallaboutit”saidI。
“”Well”saidhe，showingmetheadvertisement，”youcanseeforyourselfthattheLeaguehasavacancy，andthereistheaddresswhereyoushouldapplyforparticulars。AsfarasIcanmakeout，theLeaguewasfoundedbyanAmericanmillionaire，EzekiahHopkins，whowasverypeculiarinhisways。Hewashimselfred-headed，andhehadagreatsympathyforallred-headedmen；so，whenhedied，itwasfoundthathehadlefthisenormousfortuneinthehandsoftrustees，withinstructionstoapplytheinteresttotheprovidingofeasyberthstomenwhosehairisofthatcolor。FromallIhearitissplendidpay，andverylittletodo。”
“”But”saidI，”therewouldbemillionsofred-headedmenwhowouldapply。”
“”Notsomanyasyoumightthink”heanswered。”YouseeitisreallyconfinedtoLondoners，andtogrownmen。ThisAmericanhadstartedfromLondonwhenhewasyoung，andhewantedtodotheoldtownagoodturn。Then，again，Ihavehearditisofnouseyourapplyingifyourhairislightred，ordarkred，oranythingbutreal，bright，blazing，fieryred。Now，ifyoucaredtoapply，Mr。
Wilson，youwouldjustwalkin；butperhapsitwouldhardlybeworthyourwhiletoputyourselfoutofthewayforthesakeofafewhundredpounds。”
“Nowitisafact，gentlemen，asyoumayseeforyourselves，thatmyhairisofaveryfullandrichtint，sothatitseemedtomethat，iftherewastobeanycompetitioninthematter，IstoodasgoodachanceasanymanthatIhadevermet。VincentSpauldingseemedtoknowsomuchaboutitthatIthoughthemightproveuseful，soIjustorderedhimtoputuptheshuttersfortheday，andtocomerightawaywithme。Hewasverywillingtohaveaholiday，soweshutthebusinessup，andstartedofffortheaddressthatwasgivenusintheadvertisement。
“Ineverhopetoseesuchasightasthatagain，Mr。Holmes。Fromnorth，south，east，andwesteverymanwhohadashadeofredinhishairhadtrampedintotheCitytoanswertheadvertisement。
FleetStreetwaschokedwithred-headedfolk，andPope”sCourtlookedlikeacoster”sorangebarrow。Ishouldnothavethoughtthereweresomanyinthewholecountryaswerebroughttogetherbythatsingleadvertisement。Everyshadeofcolortheywere——straw，lemon，orange，brick，Irishsetter，liver，clay；but，asSpauldingsaid，therewerenotmanywhohadtherealvividflame-coloredtint。WhenIsawhowmanywerewaiting，Iwouldhavegivenitupindespair；butSpauldingwouldnothearofit。HowhediditI
couldnotimagine，buthepushedandpulledandbutteduntilhegotmethroughthecrowd，andrightuptothestepswhichledtotheoffice。Therewasadoublestreamuponthestair，somegoingupinhope，andsomecomingbackdejected；butwewedgedinaswellaswecould，andsoonfoundourselvesintheoffice。”
“Yourexperiencehasbeenamostentertainingone，“remarkedHolmes，ashisclientpausedandrefreshedhismemorywithahugepinchofsnuff。“Praycontinueyourveryinterestingstatement。”
“Therewasnothingintheofficebutacoupleofwoodenchairsandadealtable，behindwhichsatasmallman，withaheadthatwasevenredderthanmine。Hesaidafewwordstoeachcandidateashecameup，andthenhealwaysmanagedtofindsomefaultinthemwhichwoulddisqualifythem。Gettingavacancydidnotseemtobesuchaveryeasymatterafterall。However，whenourturncame，thelittlemanwasmuchmorefavorabletomethantoanyoftheothers，andheclosedthedoorasweentered，sothathemighthaveaprivatewordwithus。
“”ThisisMr。JabezWilson”saidmyassistant，”andheiswillingtofillavacancyintheLeague。”
“”Andheisadmirablysuitedforit”theotheranswered。”Hehaseveryrequirement。IcannotrecallwhenIhaveseenanythingsofine。”Hetookastepbackward，cockedhisheadononeside，andgazedatmyhairuntilIfeltquitebashful。Thensuddenlyheplungedforward，wrungmyhand，andcongratulatedmewarmlyonmysuccess。
“”Itwouldbeinjusticetohesitate”saidhe。”Youwill，however，Iamsure，excusemefortakinganobviousprecaution。”Withthatheseizedmyhairinbothhishands，andtuggeduntilIyelledwiththepain。”Thereiswaterinyoureyes”saidhe，ashereleasedme。”Iperceivethatallisasitshouldbe。Butwehavetobecareful，forwehavetwicebeendeceivedbywigsandoncebypaint。
Icouldtellyoutalesofcobbler”swaxwhichwoulddisgustyouwithhumannature。”Hesteppedovertothewindowandshoutedthroughitatthetopofhisvoicethatthevacancywasfilled。A
groanofdisappointmentcameupfrombelow，andthefolkalltroopedawayindifferentdirections，untiltherewasnotaredheadtobeseenexceptmyownandthatofthemanager。
“”Myname”saidhe，”isMr。DuncanRoss，andIammyselfoneofthepensionersuponthefundleftbyournoblebenefactor。Areyouamarriedman，Mr。Wilson？Haveyouafamily？”
“IansweredthatIhadnot。
“Hisfacefellimmediately。
“”Dearme！”hesaid，gravely，”thatisveryseriousindeed！Iamsorrytohearyousaythat。Thefundwas，ofcourse，forthepropagationandspreadoftheredheadsaswellasfortheirmaintenance。Itisexceedinglyunfortunatethatyoushouldbeabachelor。”
“Myfacelengthenedatthis，Mr。Holmes，forIthoughtthatIwasnottohavethevacancyafterall；but，afterthinkingitoverforafewminutes，hesaidthatitwouldbeallright。
“”Inthecaseofanother”saidhe，”theobjectionmightbefatal，butwemuststretchapointinfavorofamanwithsuchaheadofhairasyours。Whenshallyoubeabletoenteruponyournewduties？”
“”Well，itisalittleawkward，forIhaveabusinessalready”
saidI。
“”Oh，nevermindaboutthat，Mr。Wilson！”saidVincentSpaulding。”Ishallbeabletolookafterthatforyou。”
“”Whatwouldbethehours？”Iasked。
“”Tentotwo。”
“Nowapawnbroker”sbusinessismostlydoneofanevening，Mr。
Holmes，especiallyThursdayandFridayevenings，whichisjustbeforepayday；soitwouldsuitmeverywelltoearnalittleinthemornings。Besides，Iknewthatmyassistantwasagoodman，andthathewouldseetoanythingthatturnedup。
“”Thatwouldsuitmeverywell”saidI。”Andthepay？”
“”Isfourpoundsaweek。”
“”Andthework？”
“”Ispurelynominal。”
“”Whatdoyoucallpurelynominal？”
“”Well，youhavetobeintheoffice，oratleastinthebuilding，thewholetime。Ifyouleave，youforfeityourwholepositionforever。Thewillisveryclearuponthatpoint。Youdon”tcomplywiththeconditionsifyoubudgefromtheofficeduringthattime。”
“”It”sonlyfourhoursaday，andIshouldnotthinkofleaving”
saidI。
“”Noexcusewillavail”saidMr。DuncanRoss，”neithersickness，norbusiness，noranythingelse。Thereyoumuststay，oryouloseyourbillet。”
“”Andthework？”
“”Istocopyoutthe“EncyclopaediaBritannica。”Thereisthefirstvolumeofitinthatpress。Youmustfindyourownink，pens，andblottingpaper，butweprovidethistableandchair。
Willyoubereadyto-morrow？”
“”Certainly”Ianswered。
“”Then，good-by，Mr。JabezWilson，andletmecongratulateyouoncemoreontheimportantpositionwhichyouhavebeenfortunateenoughtogain。”Hebowedmeoutoftheroom，andIwenthomewithmyassistanthardlyknowingwhattosayordo，Iwassopleasedatmyowngoodfortune。
“Well，Ithoughtoverthematterallday，andbyeveningIwasinlowspiritsagain；forIhadquitepersuadedmyselfthatthewholeaffairmustbesomegreathoaxorfraud，thoughwhatitsobjectmightbeIcouldnotimagine。Itseemedaltogetherpastbeliefthatanyonecouldmakesuchawill，orthattheywouldpaysuchasumfordoinganythingsosimpleascopyingoutthe”EncyclopaediaBritannica。”VincentSpauldingdidwhathecouldtocheermeup，butbybedtimeIhadreasonedmyselfoutofthewholething。
However，inthemorningIdeterminedtohavealookatitanyhow，soIboughtapennybottleofink，andwithaquillpenandsevensheetsoffoolscappaperIstartedoffforPope”sCourt。
“Well，tomysurpriseanddelighteverythingwasasrightaspossible。Thetablewassetoutreadyforme，andMr。DuncanRosswastheretoseethatIgotfairlytowork。HestartedmeoffupontheletterA，andthenheleftme；buthewoulddropinfromtimetotimetoseethatallwasrightwithme。Attwoo”clockhebademegood-day，complimentedmeupontheamountthatIhadwritten，andlockedthedooroftheofficeafterme。
“Thiswentondayafterday，Mr。Holmes，andonSaturdaythemanagercameinandplankeddownfourgoldensovereignsformyweek”swork。Itwasthesamenextweek，andthesametheweekafter。EverymorningIwasthereatten，andeveryafternoonI
leftattwo。BydegreesMr。DuncanRosstooktocominginonlyonceofamorning，andthen，afteratime，hedidnotcomeinatall。Still，ofcourse。Ineverdaredtoleavetheroomforaninstant，forIwasnotsurewhenhemightcome，andthebilletwassuchagoodone，andsuitedmesowell，thatIwouldnotriskthelossofit。
“Eightweekspassedawaylikethis，andIhadwrittenaboutAbbots，andArchery，andArmor，andArchitecture，andAttica，andhopedwithdiligencethatImightgetontotheBsbeforeverylong。Itcostmesomethinginfoolscap，andIhadprettynearlyfilledashelfwithmywritings。Andthensuddenlythewholebusinesscametoanend。”
“Toanend？“
“Yes，sir。Andnolaterthanthismorning。Iwenttomyworkasusualatteno”clock，butthedoorwasshutandlocked，withalittlesquareofcardboardhammeredontothemiddleofthepanelwithatack。Hereitis，andyoucanreadforyourself。”
Heheldupapieceofwhitecardboard，aboutthesizeofasheetofnotepaper。Itreadinthisfashion：
“THERED-HEADEDLEAGUEISDISSOLVED。
Oct。9，1890。”
SherlockHolmesandIsurveyedthiscurtannouncementandtheruefulfacebehindit，untilthecomicalsideoftheaffairsocompletelyovertoppedeveryconsiderationthatwebothburstoutintoaroaroflaughter。
“Icannotseethatthereisanythingveryfunny，“criedourclient，flushinguptotherootsofhisflaminghead。“Ifyoucandonothingbetterthanlaughatme，Icangoelsewhere。”
“No，no，“criedHolmes，shovinghimbackintothechairfromwhichhehadhalfrisen。“Ireallywouldn”tmissyourcasefortheworld。Itismostrefreshinglyunusual。Butthereis，ifyouwillexcusemysayingso，somethingjustalittlefunnyaboutit。Praywhatstepsdidyoutakewhenyoufoundthecarduponthedoor？“
“Iwasstaggered，sir。Ididnotknowwhattodo。ThenIcalledattheofficesround，butnoneofthemseemedtoknowanythingaboutit。Finally，Iwenttothelandlord，whoisanaccountantlivingonthegroundfloor，andIaskedhimifhecouldtellmewhathadbecomeoftheRed-headedLeague。Hesaidthathehadneverheardofanysuchbody。ThenIaskedhimwhoMr。DuncanRosswas。Heansweredthatthenamewasnewtohim。
“”Well”saidI，”thegentlemanatNo。4。”
“”What，thered-headedman？”
“”Yes。”
“”Oh”saidhe，”hisnamewasWilliamMorris。Hewasasolicitor，andwasusingmyroomasatemporaryconvenienceuntilhisnewpremiseswereready。Hemovedoutyesterday。”
“”WherecouldIfindhim？”
“”Oh，athisnewoffices。Hedidtellmetheaddress。Yes，17
KingEdwardStreet，nearSt。Paul”s。”
“Istartedoff，Mr。Holmes，butwhenIgottothataddressitwasamanufactoryofartificialknee-caps，andnooneinithadeverheardofeitherMr。WilliamMorrisorMr。DuncanRoss。”
“Andwhatdidyoudothen？“askedHolmes。
“IwenthometoSaxe-CoburgSquare，andItooktheadviceofmyassistant。Buthecouldnothelpmeinanyway。HecouldonlysaythatifIwaitedIshouldhearbypost。Butthatwasnotquitegoodenough，Mr。Holmes。Ididnotwishtolosesuchaplacewithoutastruggle，so，asIhadheardthatyouweregoodenoughtogiveadvicetopoorfolkwhowereinneedofit，Icamerightawaytoyou。”
“Andyoudidverywisely，“saidHolmes。“Yourcaseisanexceedinglyremarkableone，andIshallbehappytolookintoit。
FromwhatyouhavetoldmeIthinkthatitispossiblethatgraverissueshangfromitthanmightatfirstsightappear。”
“Graveenough！“saidMr。JabezWilson。“Why，Ihavelostfourpoundaweek。”
“Asfarasyouarepersonallyconcerned，“remarkedHolmes，“Idonotseethatyouhaveanygrievanceagainstthisextraordinaryleague。Onthecontrary，youare，asIunderstand，richerbysomethirtypounds，tosaynothingoftheminuteknowledgewhichyouhavegainedoneverysubjectwhichcomesundertheletterA。Youhavelostnothingbythem。”
“No，sir。ButIwanttofindoutaboutthem，andwhotheyare，andwhattheirobjectwasinplayingthisprank——ifitwasaprank——
uponme。Itwasaprettyexpensivejokeforthem，foritcostthemtwo-and-thirtypounds。”
“Weshallendeavortoclearupthesepointsforyou。And，first，oneortwoquestions，Mr。Wilson。Thisassistantofyourswhofirstcalledyourattentiontotheadvertisement——howlonghadhebeenwithyou？“
“Aboutamonththen。”
“Howdidhecome？“
“Inanswertoanadvertisement。”
“Washetheonlyapplicant？“
“No，Ihadadozen。”
“Whydidyoupickhim？“
“Becausehewashandyandwouldcomecheap。”
“Athalfwages，infact。”
“Yes。”
“Whatishelike，thisVincentSpaulding？“
“Small，stout-built，veryquickinhisways，nohaironhisface，thoughhe”snotshortofthirty。Hasawhitesplashofaciduponhisforehead。”
Holmessatupinhischairinconsiderableexcitement。Ithoughtasmuch，“saidhe。“Haveyoueverobservedthathisearsarepiercedforearrings？“
“Yes，sir。Hetoldmethatagypsyhaddoneitforhimwhenhewasalad。”
“Hum！“saidHolmes，sinkingbackindeepthought。“Heisstillwithyou？“
“Oh，yes，sir；Ihaveonlyjustlefthim。”
“Andhasyourbusinessbeenattendedtoinyourabsence？“
“Nothingtocomplainof，sir。There”sneververymuchtodoofamorning。”
“Thatwilldo，Mr。Wilson。Ishallbehappytogiveyouanopinionuponthesubjectinthecourseofadayortwo。To-dayisSaturday，andIhopethatbyMondaywemaycometoaconclusion。”
“Well，Watson，“saidHolmes，whenourvisitorhadleftus，“whatdoyoumakeofitall？“
“Imakenothingofit，“Iansweredfrankly。“Itisamostmysteriousbusiness。”
“Asarule，“saidHolmes，“themorebizarreathingisthelessmysteriousitprovestobe。Itisyourcommonplace，featurelesscrimeswhicharereallypuzzling，justasacommonplacefaceisthemostdifficulttoidentify。ButImustbepromptoverthismatter。”
“Whatareyougoingtodo，then？“Iasked。
“Tosmoke，“heanswered。“Itisquiteathree-pipeproblem，andI
begthatyouwon”tspeaktomeforfiftyminutes。”Hecurledhimselfupinhischair，withhisthinkneesdrawnuptohishawklikenose，andtherehesatwithhiseyesclosedandhisblackclaypipethrustingoutlikethebillofsomestrangebird。Ihadcometotheconclusionthathehaddroppedasleep，andindeedwasnoddingmyself，whenhesuddenlysprangoutofhischairwiththegestureofamanwhohasmadeuphismind，andputhispipedownuponthemantelpiece。
“SarasateplaysatSt。James”sHallthisafternoon，“heremarked。
“Whatdoyouthink，Watson？Couldyourpatientsspareyouforafewhours？“
“Ihavenothingtodoto-day。Mypracticeisneververyabsorbing。”
“Thenputonyourhatandcome。IamgoingthroughtheCityfirst，andwecanhavesomelunchontheway。IobservethatthereisagooddealofGermanmusicontheprogramme，whichisrathermoretomytastethanItalianorFrench。Itisintrospective，andIwanttointrospect。Comealong！“
WetraveledbytheUndergroundasfarasAldersgate；andashortwalktookustoSaxe-CoburgSquare，thesceneofthesingularstorywhichwehadlistenedtointhemorning。Itwasapoky，little，shabby-genteelplace，wherefourlinesofdingy，two-storiedbrickhouseslookedoutintoasmallrailed-ininclosure，wherealawnofweedygrass，andafewclumpsoffadedlaurelbushesmadeahardfightagainstasmoke-ladenanduncongenialatmosphere。ThreegiltballsandabrownboardwithJABEZWILSONinwhiteletters，uponacornerhouse，announcedtheplacewhereourred-headedclientcarriedonhisbusiness。SherlockHolmesstoppedinfrontofitwithhisheadononeside，andlookeditallover，withhiseyesshiningbrightlybetweenpuckeredlids。Thenhewalkedslowlyupthestreet，andthendownagaintothecorner，stilllookingkeenlyatthehouses。Finallyhereturnedtothepawnbroker”sand，havingthumpedvigorouslyuponthepavementwithhissticktwoorthreetimes，hewentuptothedoorandknocked。Itwasinstantlyopenedbyabright-looking，clean-shavenyoungfellow，whoaskedhimtostepin。
“Thankyou，“saidHolmes，“IonlywishedtoaskyouhowyouwouldgofromheretotheStrand。”
“Thirdright，fourthleft，“answeredtheassistant，promptly，closingthedoor。
“Smartfellow，that，“observedHolmesaswewalkedaway。“Heis，inmyjudgment，thefourthsmartestmaninLondon，andfordaringI
amnotsurethathehasnotaclaimtobethird。Ihaveknownsomethingofhimbefore。”
“Evidently，“saidI，“Mr。Wilson”sassistantcountsforagooddealinthismysteryoftheRed-headedLeague。Iamsurethatyouinquiredyourwaymerelyinorderthatyoumightseehim。”
“Nothim。”
“Whatthen？“
“Thekneesofhistrousers。”
“Andwhatdidyousee？“
“WhatIexpectedtosee。”
“Whydidyoubeatthepavement？“
“Mydeardoctor，thisisatimeforobservation，notfortalk。Wearespiesinanenemy”scountry。WeknowsomethingofSaxe-CoburgSquare。Letusnowexplorethepartswhichliebehindit。”
TheroadinwhichwefoundourselvesasweturnedroundthecornerfromtheretiredSaxe-CoburgSquarepresentedasgreatacontrasttoitasthefrontofapicturedoestotheback。ItwasoneofthemainarterieswhichconveythetrafficoftheCitytothenorthandwest。Theroadwaywasblockedwiththeimmensestreamofcommerceflowinginadoubletideinwardandoutward，whilethefootpathswereblackwiththehurryingswarmofpedestrians。Itwasdifficulttorealize，aswelookedatthelineoffineshopsandstatelybusinesspremises，thattheyreallyabuttedontheothersideuponthefadedandstagnantsquarewhichwehadjustquitted。
“Letmesee，“saidHolmes，standingatthecorner，andglancingalongtheline，“Ishouldlikejusttoremembertheorderofthehouseshere。ItisahobbyofminetohaveanexactknowledgeofLondon。ThereisMortimer”s，thetobacconist；thelittlenewspapershop，theCoburgbranchoftheCityandSuburbanBank，theVegetarianRestaurant，andMcFarlane”scarriage-buildingdepot。
Thatcarriesusrightontotheotherblock。Andnow，doctor，we”vedoneourwork，soit”stimewehadsomeplay。Asandwichandacupofcoffee，andthenofftoviolin-land，whereallissweetness，anddelicacy，andharmony，andtherearenored-headedclientstovexuswiththeirconundrums。”
Myfriendwasanenthusiasticmusician，beinghimselfnotonlyaverycapableperformer，butacomposerofnoordinarymerit。Alltheafternoonhesatinthestallswrappedinthemostperfecthappiness，gentlywavinghislongthinfingersintimetothemusic，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”sHall，Ifeltthataneviltimemightbecominguponthosewhomhehadsethimselftohuntdown。
“Youwanttogohome，nodoubt，doctor，“heremarked，asweemerged。
“Yes，itwouldbeaswell。”
“AndIhavesomebusinesstodowhichwilltakesomehours。ThisbusinessatSaxe-CoburgSquareisserious。”
“Whyserious？“
“Aconsiderablecrimeisincontemplation。Ihaveeveryreasontobelievethatweshallbeintimetostopit。Butto-daybeingSaturdayrathercomplicatesmatters。Ishallwantyourhelpto-
night。”
“Atwhattime？“
“Tenwillbeearlyenough。”
IshallbeatBakerStreetatten。”
“Verywell。And，Isay，doctor！theremaybesomelittledanger，sokindlyputyourarmyrevolverinyourpocket。”Hewavedhishand，turnedonhisheel，anddisappearedinaninstantamongthecrowd。
ItrustthatIamnotmoredensethanmyneighbors，butIwasalwaysoppressedwithasenseofmyownstupidityinmydealingswithSherlockHolmes。HereIhadheardwhathehadheard，Ihadseenwhathehadseen，andyetfromhiswordsitwasevidentthathesawclearlynotonlywhathadhappened，butwhatwasabouttohappen，whiletomethewholebusinesswasstillconfusedandgrotesque。AsIdrovehometomyhouseinKensingtonIthoughtoveritall，fromtheextraordinarystoryofthered-headedcopierofthe“Encyclopaedia“downtothevisittoSaxe-CoburgSquare，andtheominouswordswithwhichhehadpartedfromme。Whatwasthisnocturnalexpedition，andwhyshouldIgoarmed？Wherewerewegoing，andwhatwerewetodo？IhadthehintfromHolmesthatthissmooth-facedpawnbroker”sassistantwasaformidableman——amanwhomightplayadeepgame。Itriedtopuzzleitout，butgaveitupindespair，andsetthematterasideuntilnightshouldbringanexplanation。
Itwasaquarter-pastninewhenIstartedfromhomeandmademywayacrossthePark，andsothroughOxfordStreettoBakerStreet。Twohansomswerestandingatthedoor，and，asIenteredthepassage，I
heardthesoundofvoicesfromabove。Onenteringhisroom，I
foundHolmesinanimatedconversationwithtwomen，oneofwhomI
recognizedasPeterJones，theofficialpoliceagent；whiletheotherwasalong，thin，sad-facedman，withaveryshinyhatandoppressivelyrespectablefrockcoat。
“Ha！ourpartyiscomplete，“saidHolmes，buttoninguphispea-
jacket，andtakinghisheavyhuntingcropfromtherack。“Watson，IthinkyouknowMr。Jones，ofScotlandYard？LetmeintroduceyoutoMr。Merryweather，whoistobeourcompanioninto-night”sadventure。”
“We”rehuntingincouplesagain，doctor，yousee，“saidJones，inhisconsequentialway。“Ourfriendhereisawonderfulmanforstartingachase。Allhewantsisanolddogtohelphimdotherunningdown。”
“Ihopeawildgoosemaynotprovetobetheendofourchase，“
observedMr。Merryweathergloomily。
“YoumayplaceconsiderableconfidenceinMr。Holmes，sir，“saidthepoliceagentloftily。“Hehashisownlittlemethods，whichare，ifhewon”tmindmysayingso，justalittletootheoreticalandfantastic，buthehasthemakingsofadetectiveinhim。Itisnottoomuchtosaythatonceortwice，asinthatbusinessoftheSholtomurderandtheAgratreasure，hehasbeenmorenearlycorrectthantheofficialforce。”
“Oh，ifyousayso，Mr。Jones，itisallright！“saidthestranger，withdeference。“Still，IconfessthatImissmyrubber。ItisthefirstSaturdaynightforseven-and-twentyyearsthatIhavenothadmyrubber。”
“Ithinkyouwillfind，“saidSherlockHolmes，“thatyouwillplayforahigherstaketo-nightthanyouhaveeverdoneyet，andthattheplaywillbemoreexciting。Foryou，Mr。Merryweather，thestakewillbesomethirtythousandpounds；andforyou，Jones，itwillbethemanuponwhomyouwishtolayyourhands。”
“JohnClay，themurderer，thief，smasher，andforger。He”sayoungman，Mr。Merryweather，butheisattheheadofhisprofession，andIwouldratherhavemybraceletsonhimthanonanycriminalinLondon。He”saremarkableman，isyoungJohnClay。HisgrandfatherwasaRoyalDuke，andhehimselfhasbeentoEtonandOxford。Hisbrainisascunningashisfingers，andthoughwemeetsignsofhimateveryturn，weneverknowwheretofindthemanhimself。He”llcrackacribinScotlandoneweek，andberaisingmoneytobuildanorphanageinCornwallthenext。I”vebeenonhistrackforyears，andhaveneverseteyesonhimyet。”
“IhopethatImayhavethepleasureofintroducingyouto-night。
I”vehadoneortwolittleturnsalsowithMr。JohnClay，andI
agreewithyouthatheisattheheadofhisprofession。Itispastten，however，andquitetimethatwestarted。Ifyoutwowilltakethefirsthansom，WatsonandIwillfollowinthesecond。”
SherlockHolmeswasnotverycommunicativeduringthelongdrive，andlaybackinthecabhummingthetuneswhichhehadheardintheafternoon。WerattledthroughanendlesslabyrinthofgaslitstreetsuntilweemergedintoFarringdonStreet。
“Weareclosetherenow，“myfriendremarked。“ThisfellowMerryweatherisabankdirectorandpersonallyinterestedinthematter。IthoughtitaswelltohaveJoneswithusalso。Heisnotabadfellow，thoughanabsoluteimbecileinhisprofession。
Hehasonepositivevirtue。Heisasbraveasabulldog，andastenaciousasalobsterifhegetshisclawsuponanyone。Hereweare，andtheyarewaitingforus。”
Wehadreachedthesamecrowdedthoroughfareinwhichwehadfoundourselvesinthemorning。Ourcabsweredismissed，andfollowingtheguidanceofMr。Merryweather，wepasseddownanarrowpassage，andthroughasidedoorwhichheopenedforus。Withintherewasasmallcorridor，whichendedinaverymassiveirongate。Thisalsowasopened，andleddownaflightofwindingstonesteps，whichterminatedatanotherformidablegate。Mr。Merryweatherstoppedtolightalantern，andthenconductedusdownadark，earth-smellingpassage，andso，afteropeningathirddoor，intoahugevaultorcellar，whichwaspiledallroundwithcratesandmassiveboxes。
“Youarenotveryvulnerablefromabove，“Holmesremarked，asheheldupthelanternandgazedabouthim。
“Norfrombelow，“saidMr。Merryweather，strikinghisstickupontheflagswhichlinedthefloor。“Why，dearme，itsoundsquitehollow！“heremarked，lookingupinsurprise。
“Imustreallyaskyoutobealittlemorequiet，“saidHolmesseverely。“Youhavealreadyimperiledthewholesuccessofourexpedition。MightIbegthatyouwouldhavethegoodnesstositdownupononeofthoseboxes，andnottointerfere？“
ThesolemnMr。Merryweatherperchedhimselfuponacrate，withaveryinjuredexpressionuponhisface，whileHolmesfelluponhiskneesuponthefloor，and，withthelanternandamagnifyinglens，begantoexamineminutelythecracksbetweenthestones。Afewsecondssufficedtosatisfyhim，forhesprangtohisfeetagain，andputhisglassinhispocket。
“Wehaveatleastanhourbeforeus，“heremarked，“fortheycanhardlytakeanystepsuntilthegoodpawnbrokerissafelyinbed。
Thentheywillnotloseaminute，forthesoonertheydotheirworkthelongertimetheywillhavefortheirescape。Weareatpresent，doctor——asnodoubtyouhavedivined——inthecellaroftheCitybranchofoneoftheprincipalLondonbanks。Mr。Merryweatheristhechairmanofdirectors，andhewillexplaintoyouthattherearereasonswhythemoredaringcriminalsofLondonshouldtakeaconsiderableinterestinthiscellaratpresent。”
“ItisourFrenchgold，“whisperedthedirector。“Wehavehadseveralwarningsthatanattemptmightbemadeuponit。”
“YourFrenchgold？“
“Yes。Wehadoccasionsomemonthsagotostrengthenourresources，andborrowed，forthatpurpose，thirtythousandnapoleonsfromtheBankofFrance。Ithasbecomeknownthatwehaveneverhadoccasiontounpackthemoney，andthatitisstilllyinginourcellar。ThecrateuponwhichIsitcontainstwothousandnapoleonspackedbetweenlayersofleadfoil。Ourreserveofbullionismuchlargeratpresentthanisusuallykeptinasinglebranchoffice，andthedirectorshavehadmisgivingsuponthesubject。”
“Whichwereverywelljustified，“observedHolmes。“Andnowitistimethatwearrangedourlittleplans。Iexpectthatwithinanhourmatterswillcometoahead。Inthemeantime，Mr。
Merryweather，wemustputthescreenoverthatdarklantern。”
“Andsitinthedark？“
“Iamafraidso。Ihadbroughtapackofcardsinmypocket，andI
thoughtthat，aswewereapartiecarree，youmighthaveyourrubberafterall。ButIseethattheenemy”spreparationshavegonesofarthatwecannotriskthepresenceofalight。And，firstofall，wemustchooseourpositions。Thesearedaringmen，and，thoughweshalltakethematadisadvantage，theymaydoussomeharm，unlesswearecareful。Ishallstandbehindthiscrate，anddoyouconcealyourselfbehindthose。Then，whenIflashalightuponthem，closeinswiftly。Iftheyfire，Watson，havenocompunctionaboutshootingthemdown。”
Iplacedmyrevolver，cocked，uponthetopofthewoodencasebehindwhichIcrouched。Holmesshottheslideacrossthefrontofhislantern，andleftusinpitchdarkness——suchanabsolutedarknessasIhaveneverbeforeexperienced。Thesmellofhotmetalremainedtoassureusthatthelightwasstillthere，readytoflashoutatamoment”snotice。Tome，withmynervesworkeduptoapitchofexpectancy，therewassomethingdepressingandsubduinginthesuddengloom，andinthecold，dankairofthevault。
“Theyhavebutoneretreat，“whisperedHolmes。“ThatisbackthroughthehouseintoSaxe-CoburgSquare。IhopethatyouhavedonewhatIaskedyou，Jones？“
“Ihaveaninspectorandtwoofficerswaitingatthefrontdoor。”
“Thenwehavestoppedalltheholes。Andnowwemustbesilentandwait。”
Whatatimeitseemed！Fromcomparingnotesafterwards，itwasbutanhourandaquarter，yetitappearedtomethatthenightmusthavealmostgone，andthedawnbebreakingaboveus。Mylimbswerewearyandstiff，forIfearedtochangemyposition，yetmynerveswereworkeduptothehighestpitchoftension，andmyhearingwassoacutethatIcouldnotonlyhearthegentlebreathingofmycompanions，butIcoulddistinguishthedeeper，heavierinbreathofthebulkyJonesfromthethin，sighingnoteofthebankdirector。
FrommypositionIcouldlookoverthecaseinthedirectionofthefloor。Suddenlymyeyescaughttheglintofalight。
Atfirstitwasbutaluridsparkuponthestonepavement。Thenitlengthenedoutuntilitbecameayellowline，andthen，withoutanywarningorsound，agashseemedtoopenandahandappeared，awhite，almostwomanlyhand，whichfeltaboutinthecenterofthelittleareaoflight。Foraminuteormorethehand，withitswrithingfingers，protrudedoutofthefloor。Thenitwaswithdrawnassuddenlyasitappeared，andallwasdarkagainsavethesingleluridspark，whichmarkedachinkbetweenthestones。
Itsdisappearance，however，wasbutmomentary。Witharending，tearingsound，oneofthebroadwhitestonesturnedoveruponitsside，andleftasquare，gapinghole，throughwhichstreamedthelightofalantern。Overtheedgetherepeepedaclean-cut，boyishface，whichlookedkeenlyaboutit，andthen，withahandoneithersideoftheaperture，drewitselfshoulder-highandwaist-high，untilonekneerestedupontheedge。Inanotherinstanthestoodatthesideofthehole，andwashaulingafterhimacompanion，litheandsmalllikehimself，withapalefaceandashockofveryredhair。
“It”sallclear，“hewhispered。“Haveyouthechiselandthebags？