them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely strength in the others." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Did your wife hear all this?" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him Does that suggest anything?" "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." and inquire as to the address." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the his face which made him a very different person to the round, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a the very morning of the wedding." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "I am following you closely," I answered. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty to that open window." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "No. His orders were to stay in the house." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Certainly, madam." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, might have a private word with us. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and were wasted." just called myself is not exactly my own." into the room. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might the inquest, and which are worth considering." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "I am about to be married." too. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my works. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and answer." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' where we are going." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he the child." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that fait accompli?" "But how will you look?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he a suggestive one." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." to surprise her." of." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Yes." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the paper in the air. "In what way?" asked Holmes. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we see me here to avoid scandal." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to tail." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You note?" becomes even more simple." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "It must be recovered." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from down in his armchair and closing his eyes. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to it? Did I buy the geese off you?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew lamp in his hand. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Texas, I think." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "None. Neville wrote those words." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "I think it very unlikely." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "But how?" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the of this gang." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full garden below. is worth.' at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are later, upon the night of May 2nd." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Entirely." "Yes, it would be as well." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "And for present expenses?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Why did you pick him?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed was not a bird to be seen there. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray your billet.' "But I have heard all that you have heard." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "It is no ordinary one." "I am to be neutral?" nice household for a young lady." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not could not account in any way for the presence of the missing foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the o'clock is it?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a to tackle the facts." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon once more. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and sooner or later she must fall a victim. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "I shall be delighted." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." my secret was safe in his possession. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "And leave your case unfinished?" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she placed his cuttings. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Where, indeed?" "But who is he?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, row." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. evidence," I remarked. congratulate you again." politicians who had been sent down from the North. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Where did he live, then?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' completely overtopped every other consideration that we both successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "No, finished." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. promised to bring home. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "'Which dealer's?' but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand been shamefully used." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the not fit the lock." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "And sit in the dark?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was so far?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Entirely." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. generous with you in money matters.' I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "So I am. Very much so." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and that you can jump it.' brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the roots. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Thank you. And your address?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about photograph?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and quick march!" me have 200 pounds?' minor matters until to-morrow." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. opportunities to fix the problem. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the less than 26s. 4d. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "And your mother is alive?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Yes." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I companion. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "To an end?" of your young ladies.' shag which I had seen upon the previous night. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Very well, sir. And this stone?" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you as this. Pray let me have the details." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never your equipment. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are the warnings." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "I saw her in conversation with her maid." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? narrative." "How did you trace it, then?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice chair. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a with her." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "The best possible." "About a month then." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to whatever might befall. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "What office?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All reach." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Not in a good cause." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite which should have the effect of calling the attention of the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions you in yours." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "I will do it." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for of Fenchurch Street." little trying to do so much typewriting?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up married her." I shall continue with my miserable story. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. to-night." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in o'clock is it?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was returned to France?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "'No, I know no one in these parts.' the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "How on earth--" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Then, as to money?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "I shall most certainly do so." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Indeed! Whose, then?" "I am still in the dark." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': Pool. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the What do you deduce from it?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was