papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "I would give my fortune to have them back." "And is that all?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the money should be paid at once.' lost his Christmas dinner." bare slabs of marble. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't know all about it," he snarled. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass dear old homesteads?" upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault furiously. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." mystery may be cleared along those lines." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said crowd. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a national property. I was determined that the law should have its saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know of the one which your family is now devouring." she to prove their authenticity?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in matter over." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Your French gold?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Two days later this same performance was gone through under think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque shaken than I had ever seen him. "My last client of the sort was a king." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Nothing?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "So it appears." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent here." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "'You cannot say what it was?' the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search read it out to me." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the him, that man would not have given me such complete information "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." do.' "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "And Miss Sutherland?" by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and constraint." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. The King stared at him in amazement. was feeling which was the fattest.' spare." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' would then never go into court at all." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "You know me, then?" enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have strength." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" that?' there when the Rucastles went away." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which minor matters until to-morrow." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying acted in my house last night?" "Seven!" I answered. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present IS "Eh? What was that?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming with some details as to your case." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "You think that he is dead?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a that you can jump it.' are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Really! You surprise me." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand have got?" "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present down. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key in the hope of finding them." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard or other trace. But how on earth--" "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Clair, of Lee." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became at my own good fortune. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the Again Holmes raved in the air. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was to take care of herself." she to prove their authenticity?" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "I will, Miss Turner." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had http://www.gutenberg.net detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke hand, madam?" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to him, that man would not have given me such complete information Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Nor running a chance of arrest?" black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the when you have done it." of the one which your family is now devouring." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away to me. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than III. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told think that any burglar could have done. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, is four-and-twenty." as noiselessly as she had come. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. what these perils are?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that legal crime." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend it." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. stood on the top of it. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the DAMAGE. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The said he, "my real name is James Ryder." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some him to be an active member of the medical profession." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By to tackle the facts." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "One?" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "No." skylight. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else whatever might befall. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "One of his hands." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Never to return." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the said I. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "And leave your case unfinished?" "'Oh, no.' invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way I shall continue with my miserable story. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my sneer upon his pale face. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, him and tried to hold him back. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be brain must have something in it." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "And your father? Did you tell him?" own family. "And how did you find out?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Nothing." "In which, sir?" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but prisoner's face. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at invisible to me," I remarked. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as IS dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and were wasted." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the there." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where works. See paragraph 1.E below. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and answer." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone undoubtedly my uncle's." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Who was the criminal, then?" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Yes?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young was feeling which was the fattest.' overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee the south-west, I see." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "And how in the world did you find them?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that went to the Alpha were town bred." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you jewels which you have stolen?' "And it is--" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of relation between them, and what the object of his repeated as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young second." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on ashen face. "Well?" "So I have heard." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre did not hear it also.' You want to know what became of those geese?" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 presume?" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a of the vacancies.' London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "You horrify me." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out your equipment. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. matters immensely." "Why did you beat the pavement?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Yes, sir." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to green of the new foliage. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "No." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." morning." "And now?" I asked. "And how did he make his money?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of you do it in twenty minutes!' brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the brain must have something in it." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the