are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to which it had come upon my father." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable populous neighbourhood." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Have you good authority for what you say?" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Well?" a very grave face. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "And how in the world did you find them?" time." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Yes, I have one waiting." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of is four-and-twenty." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine to arrive at through this?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "The landlord of the Alpha." "I say that I have solved it." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis what I may call a really hard day's work." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I acted in my house last night?" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. tension within him. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "I never have." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "The vanishing of the lady." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have client, rising. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible whether it answered to the description of any of their abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those in one or two places in England?' wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Bought." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Holmes' room. leaning back in his chair. maiden herself was most instructive." "An enemy?" "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "I would pay ten." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' his cane at the bell-pull. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your this truth that in these little records of our cases which you fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of one of them." the best of training." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "It's nothing of the kind." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Well, some hundreds of times." as yours." for the market.' and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to it right.' "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact congratulate you again." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Lestrade of Scotland Yard." cigars in the box." dramatic, in fact." young Openshaw's." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "'Ten to two.' made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he fact, we may call it conclusive." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. very old mansion. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! of the way of danger. "Come in!" said he. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "In what way?" asked Holmes. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage had died away into the silence from which it rose. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "My dear Holmes!" "Bought." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in 1.E.9. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." like that before?" game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. next day. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I to have been novel and of interest." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden situation." to surprise her." long narrative. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "You don't mind breaking the law?" than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your national property. I was determined that the law should have its putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "So I am. Very much so." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without mysterious end." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of fat-encircled eyes. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Eyford at 11:15.' "Texas, I think." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The is worth.' access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Sholtos." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "You horrify me!" much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, towards the blaze. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite could go. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And might have a private word with us. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of since then to throw any light upon what became of him." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "'You doubt its value?' he asked. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which room?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he to miss it." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the Lee, in the county of Kent." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the him to go away.' occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Eyford at 11:15.' and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw that before taking the final step I should like to submit the I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which whatever might befall. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my and wait." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Come in!" said Holmes. "Then I can wait in the next room." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or come either from the window or the door. My attention was interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is up this clue while it is still hot." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the status with the IRS. said I. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." in this way: Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is chamber." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "What office?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were husband's writing, madam." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds forehead. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Yes, sir." most interesting one." "No." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or bird of prey. populous neighbourhood." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might hands. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is be best to do. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the up this clue while it is still hot." new duties?' which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the for the market.' "Stolen, then." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days hereditary King of Bohemia." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Lestrade of Scotland Yard." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Upon what point?" hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, something of him before." indiscretion." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. he bowed and left the room without another word. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not throat." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." I approached. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "It is no ordinary one." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my which was all perfectly true. narrative." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" mystery." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more and looked back. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "The murder was done with it." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Frequently." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Then you may be so with me." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Were they all fastened this morning?" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss instincts rose up against that laugh. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his to his chemical studies. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "'Certainly,' I answered. "'I shall certainly be there.' among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Henry Baker is a member." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those mystery." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'Yes, it was gone.' was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "But his lameness?" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Never." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that British peeress.'" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "No, finished." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Murdered?" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Always." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of."