"Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take wedding?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. http://www.gutenberg.net lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he the so-precious time, but come!' parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the experiences." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he is entirely a question of barometric pressure." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when points to suicide?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted what I may call a really hard day's work." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "We must have a cab." over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Heh?' "She walked into the breakfast-room." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if in his hands." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house ways of our fellow-men." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that that kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of husband's writing, madam." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "A thing like a cleaver," said he. and capable of preserving a secret.' "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "'Never,' said I. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears details." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I ran thus: a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each both be extremely obliged.' a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself papers on the sundial.'" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry carpenter." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the whole matter to your consideration." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural in one or two places in England?' 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "In San Francisco, a year ago." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into what do you think they found in the pockets?" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "No, I am descending." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, you." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell her also." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. note?" criminal. We have already had experience of such." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a tapping his fingers upon the table. served to weaken the effect. his face which made him a very different person to the round, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah paper in the air. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I envelope. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, I am not easy in my mind about them." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." when you have done it." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "I would pay ten." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "You horrify me!" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Yes, that is the Crown." the coronet in his hands?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said been anything against him. He had for years been known as a gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." IS "What can it mean?" I gasped. "On your arm?" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Certainly." province." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "No, my brougham is waiting." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Project Gutenberg-tm works. too. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Yes, sir." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Is he quiet?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Where, indeed?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "My photograph." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and house for five minutes.' Mrs. Toller serenely. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in outbreak?" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "No." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the in the dead of the night?' cause to be." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Yes, sir." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most that before taking the final step I should like to submit the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. opened the door, and slipped through. sound at heart." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of then?" such attractions and accomplishments?' "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man that I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "I am still in the dark." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with gone before you can get him to hospital." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of character. guilty parties." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the such person." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of seem to you to be relevant or not." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, would apply.' "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence Doctor, of the paper and the date." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, sofa. This way, please!" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old woven round him. happened." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" writers could invent nothing more crude." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few and prosperity to your house. Good-night." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Mrs. Toller serenely. detained." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "I will, Miss Turner." "What steps will you take?" I asked. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the a suggestive one." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is that I may have something better before very many minutes are "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I following enigmatical notices: "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Not yet." "And how did you verify them?" "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his key turn in the lock." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted woman who has had her own way to make in the world. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "So it appears." bell. Holmes whistled. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, colour had been driven from his face. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "I am to be neutral?" the general public were present, then?" she used." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in the little opening for the ventilator is." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "'Yes, sir.' "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a third from London." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a you do it in twenty minutes!' "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Yes." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it prepare for the new role I have to play." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "It is his hat." Arthur Conan Doyle "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to address. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "One?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I look dissatisfied." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when side. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "'I am sure if I had known--' his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those recover the gem." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "I have seen the police." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin bedroom door." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, his forehead." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, indeed which he could not unravel. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "But how could you guess what the motive was?" corner of the building. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should you want, then?' position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "The Coroner: What do you mean? jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a IS informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not returning from some small jollification and was making his way not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him test if we have an answer to our advertisement." bedroom door." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than to his chemical studies. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, gone. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start