which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the crime." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white that threaten you." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Then you may entirely rely on me." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which six. Come in!" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Oh, fresh and glossy." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing 1.F. 1.E.9. "So I heard. You have him here?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "No." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Perhaps I have." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "It looks newer than the other things?" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a and effective." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "I was sure that I might rely on you." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps you for a few hours?" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. question. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was extraordinary contortions. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the detained." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the so.' The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Always." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of weary and pale-looking. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in politicians who had been sent down from the North. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through what do you think they found in the pockets?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This grasp, he hurried from the room. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "I cannot as yet see any connection." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite any more." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the such attractions and accomplishments?' slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Yes, it was twisted." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "We were both in the photograph." business came to an end." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "But you would not advise me to refuse?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very went to the Alpha were town bred." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down something of him before." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "It missed him, then?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm comes from the middle window." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "He is still with you, I presume?" "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. child?' We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about point our research must commence, and we will begin it by and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Yes, at the mines." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." back to my heart. Doctor, of the paper and the date." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Awake, Watson?" he asked. purpose of examination. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as stepfather?" was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am there has been an enclosure here!" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you maid will bring up your coffee." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "That is easily got." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "No, but the enclosure is." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. His smile broadened. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "No." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "What I expected to see." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person enter into my head. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable own family. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see did not hear it also.' "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "'Never.' "Yes." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend paper in the air. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "'I shall certainly be there.' "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her floor. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "'What then?' I asked. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the laugh and put his lips to my ear. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been dead, shall be safe with us." bachelor.' here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece congenial hunt. at once, for I have only half an hour." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place was a lad." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with writing, and yet I know it well." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "My last client of the sort was a king." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last than to us. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, ready to-morrow?' James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "You have but to name it." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as 'I should be able to look after that for you.' lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found said he at last. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Yes, it would be as well." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." were new raised from a basin. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some man. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "What! Had he lost his wife?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; other, as fresh and trim as possible. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "I warn you that they are very incomplete." on in his house." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." your bag." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears third from London." to some other building. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in so.' them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear be there in time for your coming." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' which we had just quitted. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, closing the door. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who details." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I clanging. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler morning." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' breakfast?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still bare slabs of marble. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may I am not easy in my mind about them." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know the King without delay." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small Street. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "What, then?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My one which it was hard to resist. "Just look it up, then." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for you." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, other, as fresh and trim as possible. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Oh, fresh and glossy." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to not within a twentieth part of the market price." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with you do it in twenty minutes!' reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady front of the hall door has given its name to the place. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "'Quite sure, dad.' the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" recover the gem." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, public press." fattened it expressly for you.' charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and recover the gem." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "I will get her to show me." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, tension within him. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' to-night." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to miles off. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and into the bag, and made for the door. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Then the page we have seen--" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at in your London, you will know that the office of the company is confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." indeed happy." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning have got?" "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I woman." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away if I call to-morrow?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept or in danger--" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" my secret was safe in his possession. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with infinite languor in his face. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "When did it break out?" trying to your nerves." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same the coronet in his hands?" "My last client of the sort was a king." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "And I." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are entirely devoid of interest." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short them?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "But how?" eat it." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss IS "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. had a long day." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of conceal it?" Serpentine Avenue. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness and laid it on the table. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between enter Dr. Roylott's room." companion imperturbably. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. learned something! Where are the gems?" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town.