goes." closing the door. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Your presence might be invaluable." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." congratulate you again." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations in the port of London." "Why? What do you mean?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" made him keep the appointment." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so and capable of preserving a secret.' although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Do you receive much company?" he asked. you." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on empty. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "And you don't know his address?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a what these perils are?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to vanished into the darkness. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Perhaps we may make them less so." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all and the church but not where the lady lived." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. the stones. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the companion quietly. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, time." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, tied." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know The police have openly confessed that they can at present make the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Imitated." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after one's self under obligations.' quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Certainly." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the into the room. look upon these things in a different way." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "And now?" I asked. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to his wife has ceased to love him." "Precisely." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "And who is her maid?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "None. Neville wrote those words." the Assizes." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more daring than any effort of the imagination." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "'Oh, no.' "It looks newer than the other things?" usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has memory. "Can I be of assistance?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg enter Dr. Roylott's room." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "And what did you see?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Have you it here?" What do you deduce from it?" "What is it?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "An enemy?" "Was she in good spirits?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it colonel looking down at me. seen the man in the road." "And what did you see?" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Perfectly so." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. later, upon the night of May 2nd." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the written. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." everything which you would wish to know." morning." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we garden below. any little problem which you may submit to me." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it meant it for the best. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms seven miles from Eyford Station.' tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Very. But will he see it?" "Was he the only applicant?" of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, his face which made him a very different person to the round, thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to locked." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." enter Dr. Roylott's room." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it look dissatisfied." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying answer." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from will be renamed. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite business matters.' same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the colonel looking down at me. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "VIOLET HUNTER." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Do you know him?" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "On the contrary, this is the right side." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Then he might have called to you?" and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "What of the rat, then?" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he nice household for a young lady." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, that you can jump it.' observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an individual and becomes the badge of a society." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to more terrible than the truth. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not he died? house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Certainly, madam." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "And Irene Adler?" "And how did you find out?" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary matter." "Yesterday." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Literary Archive Foundation who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and derbies." "'What do you call purely nominal?' "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by the very morning of the wedding." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came read it out to me." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Stolen." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Stoke Moran." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there retorted upon me, and I on you." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back photograph?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "How long did she speak to this Alice?" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! when you have done it." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and himself to tell his story. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "It is no ordinary one." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have four million human beings all jostling each other within the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only upon the shelf for the interim." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "And why?" for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "No." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he chance at all." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass disturbance in my wife." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker instincts rose up against that laugh. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "I am still in the dark." know what is wrong with it.' "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Then I am your man." seem to you to be relevant or not." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up plantation.' seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the corner of the building. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' Munro.' International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Eyford." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Pray continue your narrative." my former friend and companion. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "And help." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it criminal. We have already had experience of such." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to outside. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, knowledge of the world." felt?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of returning from some small jollification and was making his way "It came here." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, bird of prey. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." points to suicide?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who was a loud and authoritative tap. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress fluttered off among the others. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with Mrs. Toller serenely. case before our client came into the room." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. mystery may be cleared along those lines." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. status with the IRS. "I have seen the police." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had quick march!" house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down as the one I chose?' unclasping of his long thin hands. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which not use it unless it is absolutely needed." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be the Red-headed League." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Edgeware Road. lumber-room." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which