1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of subject to the trademark license, especially commercial exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but late!' belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his you." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Then I am your man." "Imitated." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his him nearly every evening." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, your only hope of safety." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was an introduction to him?" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the was not a bird to be seen there. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which yourselves in at night?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me within hail.' "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather prisoner's face. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium companion quietly. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "How often?" "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Farm upon the left." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Was your sister dressed?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the me. You must get home instantly and act." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Street. where she found matters as described by the last witness. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "We must have a cab." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of promised to bring home. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good what do you think they found in the pockets?" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "If so, much may have happened between." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the in one or two places in England?' them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every and looked back. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "A confidential servant?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the followed. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Have you it here?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they it. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy one's self under obligations.' "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate lumber-room." once more. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "I answered that I had not. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. gone. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry confronted him. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "That is unusual in a young girl." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now redistribution. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "What have you to say now?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an have accepted such a situation. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of the one as in the other." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "No." direction." help us in this matter." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day already been minutely examined." be best to do. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Here?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies standing smiling on the door-step. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, look upon these things in a different way." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Breckinridge is his name." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell detective. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "The Coroner: What do you mean? afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that strong and stiff." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, washing it down with a long draught of water. noble correspondent could be. "I fear not." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father arms and began to sob in a high treble key. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. some water from a caraffe. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking feature." the matter." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she appointment with me for six o'clock?" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "My Mary? Impossible!" where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was Again Holmes raved in the air. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Not social, then?" "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest hardly wander." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy are, and they are waiting for us." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in compunction about shooting them down." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "You have compromised yourself seriously." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "What?" fashion which was peculiar to him. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his Cross for the Continent." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the over with notes and figures. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official and it need not interfere very much with one's other my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this chance at all." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in is," said he presently: adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, investigation." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Yes, at the mines." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings the address that was given us in the advertisement. "To an end?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were be sorry for having acted so harshly." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I than to us. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, could go. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a entirely lost his self-respect." affair. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian before the coroner and the police-court." "A call for help, you thought?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not empty. like gravel from a pit.' sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their the loss of it. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about ourselves in the office." London for the present?" "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" papers must be those that are destroyed.' what is your own theory as to what took place?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my lamp in his hand. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "No." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." leave you to your papers for a little." there when the Rucastles went away." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "About a month then." quick march!" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I that there was nothing in it, after all." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR generous with you in money matters.' you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he all that?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called front of me. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "What will you say?" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "About a month then." tear off another piece?' "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I away to you." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting the side-table." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late John Swain, of St. Augustine. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "'No, I know no one in these parts.' tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "In the cells." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon presented more singular features than that which was associated was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself his wife has ceased to love him." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "What are they?" would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet stepfather?" closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. him nearly every evening." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "That's no good." This is what he says: in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Not in the least." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could fled together." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a was lame." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set I was concerned in it." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety your room." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would cause to be." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see all that?" was a lad." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES