son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom at my remark. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! do.' chambers. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "I say it is." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than could go. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at ceremony." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was highroad, where all traces were lost. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "That is also quite modern," said the lady. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the back to my heart. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Quite so." late." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black call for protection in the marriage market, for the present - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free rat could hardly pass through." tapping his fingers upon the table. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness horse could go." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "And why in hopes?" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah suggested at once that there must be a communication between the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to been anything against him. He had for years been known as a first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he to his chemical studies. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, some city in a dream. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Stoke Moran?" said he. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very fashion which was peculiar to him. you?' were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "And what did you learn from him?" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Holmes, the busybody!" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for she used." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the confronted him. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" never came back." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I but preventing her from injuring another. exactly what you advise." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at kindly on the shoulder. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "If I can be of use." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "But we can't all be." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses was not a bird to be seen there. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. said he. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet any little problem which you may submit to me." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father which we had just quitted. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a your most interesting statement." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE again before evening." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened himself in a perplexing position. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "But what is it you wish?" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), questionable one." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. true." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "'And the work?' can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal triumphant cloud from his cigarette. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it night.' said he. "Well, some hundreds of times." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had locked." "And what then?" aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "And did you observe any change in her then?" views." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "I saw her in conversation with her maid." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window during which he might have communicated with his friend the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran page at http://pglaf.org "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "'Tell me all about it,' said I. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from window when the police appeared." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me house for five minutes.' with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. became a certainty. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not 1.E.9. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had over his head with a sweet womanly caress. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both right! Sit down and let us talk it over." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and least a fellow-countryman. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "My private note-paper." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. closing the door. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "What do you make of that, Watson?" Literary Archive Foundation job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Eyford." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, chair. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is union?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would wanted for ourselves." interests were the same as his." "In what way?" asked Holmes. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save whole matter to your consideration." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special me have 200 pounds?' "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "From his hat?" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the not fit the lock." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." only touch the interest." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Has he come with you to-night?" "In heaven's name, what for?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "May I see it?" heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "'Yes, sir.' 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "So I am. Very much so." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and advice." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "It is a murder, then?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Stoke Moran?" said he. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Have you her photograph?" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would your Highness to the police-station?" ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick cup of tea. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell leave you to your papers for a little." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. was lame." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the this poor creature." tell him that I know him to be innocent." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his him." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "To an end?" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, direction." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Then I shall certainly come." photograph a cabinet?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "And the cigar-holder?" "Where to?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make door?" envelope. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' there were one or two details which were new to me. But the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend yourselves in at night?" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." is a common subject for conversation. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary humiliation." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and meanly of me." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "One of the highest in England." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "I would give my fortune to have them back." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one place no limit on the sum I may draw." your most interesting statement." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like to-morrow." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Never to return." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Yes, sir." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were narrative." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have carried out of court." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his electronic works taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Nothing?" those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. appointment with me for six o'clock?" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Your presence might be invaluable." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. and that he would see to anything that turned up. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to danger is over." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "'And the work?' mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry shall not find me ungrateful." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had upon a handsome competence. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich outbreak?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of not as remarkable as your advertisement." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent