to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There asked. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "And I say east," said my patient. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. conduct the inquiry." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. all?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "I should be immensely obliged to you." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "My own seal." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I stepfather?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Why, it's a dummy," said he. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something never came back." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and gone. before, for it was considerably after midnight. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, giving me time to thank him. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of way in." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim crime. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they confronted him. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Because he was handy and would come cheap." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "That you are never beaten." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. plantation.' uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a bird of prey. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "How can you tell that?" which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "And why?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. events, Mr. Windibank!" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more papers on the sundial.'" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot gone. "Dark enough and sinister enough." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "'It is locked up,' I answered. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it highly," said Holmes. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and to take care of herself." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, carried out of court." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and Count Von Kramm." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid things are very often connected not with the larger but with the directors, with the result that you have seen." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are again." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the later, upon the night of May 2nd." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who obstinate." lost nothing by them." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that forbidden door. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "But it has twice been burgled." criminal. We have already had experience of such." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Not in a good cause." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your future lives." possible that we could bring him back to her? "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in cause to be." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money I. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "I think that it is very probable." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Surrey." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "The vanishing of the lady." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the DAMAGE. "Married! When?" the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "What are they?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "The vanishing of the lady." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "I guessed as much." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "I cannot tell." "Yes." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The wedding?" himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. beg that you will break it off." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On already referred to. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "I am following you closely," I answered. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "It is no ordinary one." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Pray do so." least a most suspicious remark." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "She told me to ask you." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Why, it's a dummy," said he. was a perfect sample of the class. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of over part of the map. "What do you read?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "You are all wrong." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up is acting for the best. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "What then?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, his wife has ceased to love him." keep the flames under. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I I shall continue with my miserable story. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some tapping his fingers upon the table. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something own family. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and From what you have told me I think that it is possible that the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "'Is 4 pounds a week.' feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the I shall communicate with you." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "What can you not understand?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as leave you to your papers for a little." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "He said too much." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "What will you do, then?" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Always." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the here." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich shall use the carriage to-night." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Certainly." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then digesting their breakfasts at home." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "She will not sell." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I the address that was given us in the advertisement. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Was there a secret marriage?" "'I am sure if I had known--' upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush to a more successful conclusion." and laid it on the table. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. the child." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of cost them two and thirty pounds." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "'Ten to two.' office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, crackling voice. "By no means." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the weary and pale-looking. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had that the gas is not laid on in his house?" into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you any." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, did not hear it also.' with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "'What, the red-headed man?' in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint these bleak autumnal evenings." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You rat could hardly pass through." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return and glanced through. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "How did he come?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. correct than the official force." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE that I am arrested." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. horse could go." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This lamp. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Have you it here?" the dangers which encompass me." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is hour." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "The gentleman I describe." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Thank you. And your address?" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "'Certainly not.' was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had to surprise her." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found that he has suffered." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as as the one I chose?' "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. legal crime." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon more solid." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since them?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man enter Dr. Roylott's room." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.'