dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear said he at last. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Was there a secret marriage?" return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us conduct the inquiry." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as without success. At last the little money which I had saved began in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was maid will bring up your coffee." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone it." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The she might be summoned. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of will he say when he returns?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the following enigmatical notices: "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "In which, sir?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "'And what salary do you ask?' the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. have not had my rubber." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project this unhappy family?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions is four-and-twenty." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." returned to France?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "My dear Holmes!" had this final quarrel? society." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. off." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" in his hands." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the evidence," I remarked. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from your sleep?' about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you The events in question occurred in the early days of my She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford presume?" that there was nothing in it, after all." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "I shall be delighted." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "You will not go there first?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to weapon." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Then I shall certainly come." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Lee, in the county of Kent." "This photograph!" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. allusion to a rat. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him for its centre. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "None." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of problems help me to do so." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's client, rising. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "I should be immensely obliged to you." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Yes, sir." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored during that time.' upon a handsome competence. imbecility!" he cried. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The down from London to inquire more deeply into it." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Was he the only applicant?" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to who was a member of your goose club." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a fire. You quite follow me?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Then I do not see the point." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, fashion which was peculiar to him. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very depend upon your compliance." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our and the whole place is in a blaze." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an weighed down with some great anxiety. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for wedding?" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are some city in a dream. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "You have it, sir, just as it happened." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly better in every way that they should make their position a little tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "I am in hopes that she does." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Proceed, then." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Then, as to money?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the are windows in it, of course?" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a tear off another piece?' "Who by?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Certainly." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Did he not advertise?" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she the coronet in his hands?" was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Sholtos." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "'Never.' was lame." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable bird of prey. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you may have an influence upon European history." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of forbidden door. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Yes, it would be as well." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence Eyford." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan you understand?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do once more to my work. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a is four-and-twenty." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "A confidential servant?" detective. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was chamber." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may tell them apart.' agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now bachelor.' Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold test if we have an answer to our advertisement." ready to-morrow?' and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "My dear Holmes!" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been This is what he says: "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut placed his cuttings. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one of note-paper. It read in this fashion: purpose equally well?" horse could go." "What is it?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your sparkled upon his finger. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband some city in a dream. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the call it cruel." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Always." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "And why?" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you used to be." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. call you and give you the chance." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Nothing?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. 11:15.' slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Yes, only one." "I will, Miss Turner." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Here?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a interest. They are important, you understand, without being "I am still in the dark." desk. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Your sister is dead, then?" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, six. Come in!" at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Stoke Moran?" said he. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "What!" he roared. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "'I am sure if I had known--' it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "It surprised me." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made a room. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "No legal papers or certificates?" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what towards the blaze. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. joking. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. fait accompli?" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "You will not go there first?" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Why, what do you mean?" writers could invent nothing more crude." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Lee, in the county of Kent." of campaign. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is only touch the interest." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' should be taken.'