is acting for the best. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father seem to you to be relevant or not." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. it." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and less than 26s. 4d. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I It may be so in this case, also." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, detective. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "It came here." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say go--none." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary any little problem which you may submit to me." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "No, I am descending." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." depend upon my doing so.' "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed father's young wife. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as enter Dr. Roylott's room." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently the running down." nonsense.' day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "That's no good." I held the little printed slip to the light. done what I asked you, Jones?" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" get the tickets." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Leadenhall Street--and--" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Yes, he did." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found their singular warning or token before them when starting upon in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "What will you say?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now of them has the shutters up.' "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "'Certainly not.' Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that or in danger--" whatever might befall. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It maiden herself was most instructive." hour?' of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, wedding?" often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." felt the room to be a little close.' seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my his knees, staring into the fire. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "'About the same.' "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts gigantic client. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "That is not always so easy." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." were wasted." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "'Where to?' man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "'Which dealer's?' searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for jewels which you have stolen?' was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Where does the thing come from?' diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur your Highness to the police-station?" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it this as likely?" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Entirely." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful habit of advancing money.' studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "I see no marks." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "But the mystery?" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and looking up at the numbers of the houses." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found was keenly on my guard against him. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Pray do so." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "But to whom?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has newspaper selections." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like little trying to do so much typewriting?" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing must be when I saw the door open.' He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may stood on the top of it. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "It was an hour's good drive." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under sofa. This way, please!" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "About a month then." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was character. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." This is what he says: on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view at my remark. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, gentleman's clothes. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a key of the affair now." his eyes and forehead. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Lee, in the county of Kent." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are read over the extraordinary announcement. "Not him." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel other means.' success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." and the church but not where the lady lived." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "I am still in the dark." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and happened." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "What, then?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were that he has suffered." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, the window, rose as we entered. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for persecution?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "The gentleman I describe." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "On the contrary, this is the right side." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door humiliation." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have cost them two and thirty pounds." clang of the bell. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." call you and give you the chance." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Come in!" said he. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He it." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards I took the paper from him and read as follows: preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, the armchair which I pushed forward for him. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it your billet.' became a certainty. one else, I think." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' noting anything else of interest. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been mysterious business." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Come in!" said Holmes. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Where does the thing come from?' lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used man. province." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "9th. McCauley cleared. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I him." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes sentimental considerations in the background which would induce my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. as he folded up the epistle. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a tear off another piece?' in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring some place of shelter and let the county police know what has is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that instincts rose up against that laugh. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by I nodded to show that I had heard. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and call it cruel." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, papers must be those that are destroyed.' "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Then he might have called to you?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of of this gang." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have said he. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing gigantic client. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "'Is 4 pounds a week.' perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and very peculiar words of the dying woman?" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Whose house is it?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "A thing like a cleaver," said he. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his to take care of herself." your bag." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my your own bird, so if you wish--" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was new acquaintance to Baker Street. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Oh, the cause is excellent!" no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Never." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his as this. Pray let me have the details." believe that I should never have any practice at all. one of them." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every locked. from the brougham. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny into the bag, and made for the door. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "What is it?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had recall any case within my experience which looked at the first Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Have you it here?" "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "'Stolen!' he cried. "Were they all fastened this morning?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Certainly." Countess of Morcar's?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I thin, with a long, sharp nose?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning one of them." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the heavy and sharp instrument." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "That was it, sir." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "And is that all?" the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." note?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before that you saw all that I did." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest man. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love galvanised. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the