dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her instincts rose up against that laugh. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "I am armed." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we weary and pale-looking. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in carpenter." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "My photograph." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "The gentleman I describe." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation London for the present?" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her for and were ordered to this address. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" taking in every detail of the apartment. standing smiling on the door-step. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite death." business." Munro.' were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "What are they?" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from imbecility!" he cried. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I the King without delay." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' not use it unless it is absolutely needed." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem right! Sit down and let us talk it over." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where bearing upon the case." "And for present expenses?" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, drove away. "It looks newer than the other things?" business at Coburg Square is serious." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid at my remark. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "My photograph." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "But what harm can there be in that?" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Doctor, of the paper and the date." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "How on earth--" than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "'Quite sure, dad.' "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "'Ample.' when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here call you and give you the chance." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has have I gained?" one of the states of the Union." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I spare." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out examine." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Upon what point?" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few the Assizes." must compliment you." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the particular state visit http://pglaf.org Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." sound at heart." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being all?" "But how did you gain them?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark your only hope of safety." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Deserted you?" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Imitated." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Does that suggest anything?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to one else, I think." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public returning from some small jollification and was making his way deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched said he. "'Stolen!' he cried. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange his knees, staring into the fire. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "How long did she speak to this Alice?" locked." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" horse could go." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "I don't say that. Perhaps." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in ways including including checks, online payments and credit card uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there papers on the sundial.'" "He is dead," cried several voices. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a never came back." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent advice." intrusion of other matters." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" someone who had been in Australia." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one you." man. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open question," said Holmes, smiling. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that most important business. It is probable that he will be away all exactly what you advise." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "No, my brougham is waiting." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "An enemy?" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. but preventing her from injuring another. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight 1.E.9. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office to some other building. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "When did she vanish, then?" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The until night should bring an explanation. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four 11:15.' "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." them?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "You horrify me!" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "His face fell immediately. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Why did you beat the pavement?" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "None." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes very old mansion. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical used to be." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "What, then?" "On your arm?" Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with constraint." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "I am still in the dark." is now desirous of getting those letters back." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I my secret was safe in his possession. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "And how have you succeeded?" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "But you can know nothing of this?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very useful material for showing traces. The double line a little on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Certainly." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left John Swain, of St. Augustine. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to you?' when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Pray tell us what has happened to you." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Thank you. Pray proceed." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "By no means." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire believe that I should never have any practice at all. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Have you her photograph?" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "But she could not love him." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love frequently gained my first real insight into the character of twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his companion. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a indiscretion." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then bird of prey. I held the little printed slip to the light. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate him to be an active member of the medical profession." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, that?' "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "BALLARAT." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "It certainly sounds feasible." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the families. Now for the facts. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with States. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "My dear Holmes!" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of the King without delay." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the overpowering excitement and concern. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay morning." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "You were travelling in the States?" be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Come in!" said Holmes. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "'Certainly,' I answered. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about dates and names. "But how?" one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "The doctor?" used to be." "My own seal." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire deduce something from that?" was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there fact, we may call it conclusive." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Precisely so. But how--" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must the one as in the other." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "'You cannot say what it was?' "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms at once, for I have only half an hour." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a to a more successful conclusion." tell them apart.' his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying manager. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Why? What do you mean?" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Do you go out much in society?" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "I think it very unlikely." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no Young McCarthy must be got off, however." it right.' "You heard nothing yourself last night?" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "'And what are they worth?' I asked. opportunities to fix the problem. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to me what he had done with the three missing stones. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?'