"ARAT," I read. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A business." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Perhaps we may make them less so." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "My dear Holmes!" think you a quite exceptional woman." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "By train from Waterloo." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "How often?" His name is Francis Prosper." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly emerged. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master where we are going." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found signal between you and your father? for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, papers." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "In what way?" asked Holmes. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Where, then, is my wife?" considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "No sign of it?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would have accepted such a situation. his forehead." "Was your sister dressed?" miles off. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Gutenberg-tm License. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever I leave." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Was the window open?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Nothing." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not writer." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "But how did you gain them?" Dr. Gregory B. Newby deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as writer." followed. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, o'clock is it?" "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." miles off. "Yes." "I am following you closely," I answered. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Have you good authority for what you say?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Yes, certainly." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing little trying to do so much typewriting?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, was it brought him the coronet? not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "It must be recovered." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away and put his glass in his pocket. residence of the great financier. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "My Mary? Impossible!" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in examine." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I that there was nothing in it, after all." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Does that suggest anything?" ourselves in the office." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Two days later this same performance was gone through under him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, problems help me to do so." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those four million human beings all jostling each other within the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. hour." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "And the cigar-holder?" "Ten will be early enough." waste of energy." her also." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." forebodings. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Yes." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. with some details as to your case." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Yes." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not points to suicide?" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I as noiselessly as she had come. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year it. himself in a perplexing position. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon him." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with to take care of herself." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "You were travelling in the States?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "You did not overhear what they said?" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have fat-encircled eyes. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Yes." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet which should have the effect of calling the attention of the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Yes, it was twisted." "And how?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "That you are never beaten." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not seen the man in the road." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to ventilator." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my late." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Get out!" said he. "'About the same.' slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, been able to understand it, in a very few words. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. unkempt, staring out at me. "But who is he?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Could he throw no light?" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about used to be." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will certainly not very gracious." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Have you it here?" "I shall most certainly do so." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any with frightened eyes at his accuser. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Yesterday." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very or in danger--" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his at my own good fortune. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be me where it went to?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "He is still with you, I presume?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he few hundred pounds.' "I think that it is very probable." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most For additional contact information: test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "It is possible." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is or other trace. But how on earth--" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, strength of mind to control. sound at heart." is four-and-twenty." go from here to the Strand." into the bag, and made for the door. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come to have been novel and of interest." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all there in twenty minutes." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing photograph?" from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Frequently." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then must be when I saw the door open.' it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the quick march!" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "'Not at all. I only doubt--' in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all little trying to do so much typewriting?" suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "So I heard. You have him here?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their Holmes." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying appeal." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "But how will you look?" became a certainty. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and presented more singular features than that which was associated It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call constraint." Holmes." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then his eyes and forehead. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now confronted him. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" with some details as to your case." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of later, upon the night of May 2nd." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and out of this horrible affair." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "That is easily got." strong and stiff." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of the inner apartment." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three seven miles from Eyford Station.' glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "I don't believe it." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "And now?" He raised his hand. "No." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect things are very often connected not with the larger but with the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "'Where to?' the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such was already answered. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old money should be paid at once.' have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, detained." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "My own seal." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced guilty one." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, used to be." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. my former friend and companion. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be written. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep prisoner's face. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that