grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Perhaps we may make them less so." "What, then, did Peterson do?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several chance." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, was used.' a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the pictures, libraries, or plate. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "She walked into the breakfast-room." eavesdroppers?' agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every people don't know." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "I know where it is." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Where does the thing come from?' that I am arrested." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have morning." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "What office?" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was at a side door. "At half-wages, in fact." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "'Where to?' set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your here and I will read it to you: "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. opened the door, and slipped through. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed ashen face. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "What then?" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "'Where to?' and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "What! You do not mean bodies?" breakfast." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even evidence," I remarked. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then only touch the interest." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Leadenhall Street--and--" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Then you may be so with me." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is girl said." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made to where he stood hid behind the curtain. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "That sounds a little paradoxical." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the business came to an end." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with in my life." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Get out!" said he. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" even of instruction." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might been anything against him. He had for years been known as a firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' What do you deduce from it?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to opportunities to fix the problem. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." said he. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a which are rolled in Rotterdam." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever this Miss Turner." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note looking up at the numbers of the houses." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock made his money." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual their singular warning or token before them when starting upon to talk it over. appeal." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, second window is the one that I jumped from." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer have one." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that his forehead." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The rose-bushes. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Clair, of Lee." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "My dear Holmes!" house for five minutes.' impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. the ceiling. notes," he said. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "'And what salary do you ask?' were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's bed dies. Does not that strike you?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love then?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I examine." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to that you wished to speak to me?' "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "I will, Miss Turner." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "BALLARAT." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "You did not overhear what they said?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "But what is it you wish?" bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it public press." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she shall not find me ungrateful." "Never." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Yes." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Perfectly so." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "What is it?" to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you in one or two places in England?' "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Well." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "'Then let me do so?' the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Then he might have called to you?" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his think, you have already met." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; 'I should be able to look after that for you.' with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was bell. Holmes whistled. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he depend upon my doing so.' money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as coat-tails." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, compunction about shooting them down." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "'What, the red-headed man?' "You know me, then?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham gentleman's clothes. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the narrative." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Then how many are there?" town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. to tell." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as absolutely follow my advice in every respect." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a had a long day." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate to arrive at through this?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the washing it down with a long draught of water. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would not, dad?" she asked. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Well?" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that You can understand that this register and diary may implicate pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "What have you done?" asked Holmes. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And comes from the middle window." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "From his hat?" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, I nodded to show that I had heard. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. and effective." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "9th. McCauley cleared. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "What of the rat, then?" fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she which was all perfectly true. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Farm upon the left." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Was he the only applicant?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some himself. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" was already answered. constraint." ways of our fellow-men." "Your French gold?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and salesman. "Yes." gentleman's clothes. "I see no marks." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue to you." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. 11:15.' sneer upon his pale face. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "I say it is." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the were unconscious?" mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and but preventing her from injuring another. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an quite distinctive." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and have been better. It is all right." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "'Then let me do so?' said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "How did that help you?" new acquaintance to Baker Street. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester easy-going way." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that himself in a perplexing position. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." your Highness to the police-station?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch constraint." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "'Entirely.' What do you deduce from it?" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same lamp in his hand. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, fuss that is made over them." I shall continue with my miserable story. "Witness: Nothing definite. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel you came in." "And you thought he was pulled back?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Where, then?" to arrive at through this?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only