"Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from power." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Do you know him?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "When did it break out?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "No legal papers or certificates?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the gone. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two least a most suspicious remark." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that this truth that in these little records of our cases which you upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no over part of the map. "What do you read?" "One of the highest in England." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "You horrify me!" the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks you." "But he might be a bachelor." row." do.' continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to future lives." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on and prosperity to your house. Good-night." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "I am to be neutral?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Certainly." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Foundation Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Then you may be so with me." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what corner of the building. "I have hopes." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the served to weaken the effect. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "I see many objections to any such theory." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR all?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who than to us. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I to where he stood hid behind the curtain. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too highly," said Holmes. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott strong reason behind." little trying to do so much typewriting?" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' him to be an active member of the medical profession." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend know that the truth is known." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "How are you getting on?" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." as this. Pray let me have the details." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." which it had come upon my father." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in leave you to your papers for a little." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble morning." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Then the page we have seen--" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Dark enough and sinister enough." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "He said too much." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one before, for it was considerably after midnight. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now you." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Yes, but only for you and me." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter residence of the great financier. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Certainly, madam." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "That is it on the dressing-table." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "One?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Could he throw no light?" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Of what day?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior with you?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower which we had just quitted. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this placed his cuttings. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Now, then, what's the last entry?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, writing, and yet I know it well." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Doctor, of the paper and the date." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very here and I will read it to you: You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Who by?" details." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are your bag." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely relation between them, and what the object of his repeated I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began highroad, where all traces were lost. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" of his shoulders. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "'Ample.' the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time conclusions. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I garden below. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at I have it here in my museum." the coronet in his hands?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "And what did you see?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." Henry Baker is a member." followed. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "How long did she speak to this Alice?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Get out!" said he. call you and give you the chance." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety question," said Holmes, smiling. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had tassel actually lying upon the pillow. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian the Assizes." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the copied or distributed: its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "No." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the assist you in forming an opinion." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet The events in question occurred in the early days of my "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, kindly on the shoulder. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the was feeling which was the fattest.' colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to hand, madam?" importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not unkempt, staring out at me. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "I cannot tell." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: there is a decided draught." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their as yours." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my dead, shall be safe with us." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "But who is he?" "Eh? What was that?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, your room." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Not particularly." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Foundation "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was in this way: were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." results." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it I took the paper from him and read as follows: of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him forbidden door. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of a little more before I quite committed myself. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Which surely he restored to their owner?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty whether it answered to the description of any of their into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this companion quietly. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was not, dad?" she asked. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "None." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Did you become engaged then?" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that the roots. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him sooner or later she must fall a victim. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." a little more before I quite committed myself. comes from the middle window." in. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, is acting for the best. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. disturbance in my wife." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Did you observe the colour?" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own intrusion of other matters." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "'What, the red-headed man?' We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "But to whom?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, colour had been driven from his face. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Very much so." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little already been minutely examined." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, could gather together that I was able to avert another public "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with new duties?' I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that what these perils are?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have away to you." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem out of this horrible affair." him and tried to hold him back. "Come in!" said he. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish respectable self." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Witness: It was. the stable lane now." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. bachelor.' Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of