crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to some place of shelter and let the county police know what has never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "His face fell immediately. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as friend's singular character. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "He said too much." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine to miss it." bonnet, and went out." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Pray continue your narrative." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and easy-going way." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of question," said Holmes, smiling. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera trying to your nerves." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public had picked up in the wood. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' someone who had been in Australia." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "And when will you call?" "So it appears." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "To ruin me." "Come in!" said he. "Stolen." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual their singular warning or token before them when starting upon 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable get the tickets." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, hour." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round suspect him." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small union?" 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "'I am sure if I had known--' Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Pray do so." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Only as much as we can deduce." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Not yet." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, or other trace. But how on earth--" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and will take you up to see the machine.' a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than neither fascinating nor artistic." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged behind me. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "'No, I know no one in these parts.' headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country eat it." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. chamber." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in prepare for the new role I have to play." joking. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "In what way?" asked Holmes. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to fear." "Absolutely?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Yes." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little my special province." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was woman who has had her own way to make in the world. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." there is a decided draught." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, John Swain, of St. Augustine. passage and a tap at the door. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "There are none." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the train.' Pool. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things money should be paid at once.' showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Yes." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "I should like to see him very much." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "None." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as have established a very serious case against the son of the woven round him. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless father's young wife. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. photograph?" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. answer." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Then what has happened to him?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, six. Come in!" "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "I cannot imagine." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my towards the blaze. him. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it did not hear it also.' fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would to you." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters IS may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." on in his house." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, sofa. This way, please!" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! strong reason behind." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see good for you to do.' was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average point our research must commence, and we will begin it by only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "One horse?" interjected Holmes. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is of receipt of the work. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue works. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to said I. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Again Holmes raved in the air. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There see me here to avoid scandal." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and been shamefully used." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then without a word or a look. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The noble correspondent could be. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "I answered that I had not. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without your co-operation." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me writers could invent nothing more crude." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project danger is over." coroner's jury." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: you understand?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has and laid it on the table. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." his huge brown hands. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to crackling voice. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get this remarkable episode. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter strange features which were associated with the two crimes which fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "'And the work?' Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug a monotonous occupation." existence." such attractions and accomplishments?' here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon rat could hardly pass through." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before cigars in their mouths. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow hand, madam?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, is acting for the best. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "I answered that I had not. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Nothing." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "I warn you that they are very incomplete." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, bedroom door." had a long day." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet without a word or a look. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of over his head with a sweet womanly caress. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "'Certainly,' I answered. really the only notable feature about the thing." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "No, my brougham is waiting." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear papers must be those that are destroyed.' wedding?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that imbecility!" he cried. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and the iron safe, which he closed upon it. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Very. But will he see it?" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "It is true that I have been generally successful." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the respectable self." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid several quiet little villages up there." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, this poor creature." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few light and attacked it." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Seven!" I answered. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and her also." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the were new raised from a basin. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is You can understand that this register and diary may implicate buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater and effective." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "And how?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Street. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess purpose of examination. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Dr. Becher's." "Won't it ring?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Indeed! Whose, then?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last without success. At last the little money which I had saved began alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then something of him before." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "'You cannot say what it was?' colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told that I can to serve you." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "It is solved." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification outside." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable that?' hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Ah!" thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, at a side door. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "'Not at all. I only doubt--' and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of congratulate you again." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a