As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly despair." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "My Mary? Impossible!" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' than was visible to me." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you your Highness to the police-station?" o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to photograph?" have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every his grey eyes. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Absolutely?" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. on re-entering her father's house?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. cup of tea. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Who by?" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window remarked. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" look upon these things in a different way." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they God! What an exposure! What can I do?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. your Highness to the police-station?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of whether it answered to the description of any of their Foundation Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat noise which awoke you from your sleep?" rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing papers on the sundial.'" and the church but not where the lady lived." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence shall not find me ungrateful." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Yes." foresight and the moral retrogression?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar some terrible trap for her." "What do you mean?" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it and put his glass in his pocket. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Sutherland?" Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been fuss that is made over them." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day it were putty." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a dates and names. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "'Certainly not.' pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." key of the affair now." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "And I." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Will you bet, then?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in kindly on the shoulder. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I compunction about shooting them down." "And you thought he was pulled back?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." you." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Well, some hundreds of times." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "You think so, too?" third from London." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "The rest you will leave in our hands." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "I think that I had better go, Holmes." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Holmes, the busybody!" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Yes." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "That is possible." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." client, rising. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such reach." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my my former friend and companion. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are standing smiling on the door-step. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Well?" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Not in the least." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the dangers which encompass me." orange pips. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, comes from the middle window." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Very murderous indeed." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." returned to France?" there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be me where it went to?" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, occupations.' another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been then?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in have been better. It is all right." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements particular state visit http://pglaf.org tightly behind him. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my It may be so in this case, also." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' strange features which were associated with the two crimes which on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "'Quite sure, dad.' we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon which we had just quitted. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, sparkled upon his finger. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Whose house is it?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "You think so, too?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked article?" "Yes, sir." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, said I. thirty. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its success. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. to-night?" I asked. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "How about poison?" before the coroner and the police-court." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the them?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." place no limit on the sum I may draw." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth to you." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Well, but China?" "No. What a strange idea!" have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad must compliment you." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came carried out of court." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss interested in these little problems, and since you are good you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Then he might have called to you?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "That is it on the dressing-table." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "'There is a drive, then?' submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your troubles have been weighing upon his mind. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. rat could hardly pass through." "What! Had he lost his wife?" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those meant it for the best. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that which it had come upon my father." the morning and make my own way in the world.' though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Of Friday, June 19th." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "You heard nothing yourself last night?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" the running down." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and this remarkable episode. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King the inquest, and which are worth considering." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering bare slabs of marble. in my life." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: waste of energy." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow appointment with me for six o'clock?" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the is now desirous of getting those letters back." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" habit of advancing money.' knowledge of the world." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Then you may be so with me." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Never to return." "'Entirely.' in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always and it need not interfere very much with one's other he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. to talk it over. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Witness: It was. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to details should find their way into the papers. Inspector The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and as he folded up the epistle. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not details." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "It is possible." a little more before I quite committed myself. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." your only hope of safety." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal husband's writing, madam." "Quite so. She has her freedom." Street. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return His smile broadened. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "No, distinctly professional." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Of Friday, June 19th." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "I beg pardon." anything to do with the matter?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is only touch the interest." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "You think so, too?" "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "But it has twice been burgled." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the What do you deduce from it?" "And what did you see?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers matter over." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "I shall most certainly do so." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is your room." long narrative. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to maiden herself was most instructive." "I think that it is very probable." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "'Which dealer's?' know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what bed dies. Does not that strike you?" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Her father is very rich?" see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "You have a clue?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To meanly of me." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell despair." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for and the church but not where the lady lived." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE