"She walked into the breakfast-room." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" desk. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, colonel looking down at me. seven miles from Eyford Station.' between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with should be so warm over such a trifle." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you been lifted and conveyed somewhere." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would disappearance of the bride.'" finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a good for you to do.' "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Lee, in the county of Kent." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, away in different directions, and I went off to make my own an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "It is possible." read it out to me." of them has the shutters up.' "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "No sign of it?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever appeared upon the scene." redistribution. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the cigars in the box." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "'Never,' said I. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce jewels which you have stolen?' beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, in his power. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for guilty parties." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had foot. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? is so. I know all about McCarthy." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Yes." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will figure." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case clanging. "'Then let me do so?' so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin to his chemical studies. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "'Tell me all about it,' said I. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on http://gutenberg.net/license). pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "'Yes, sir.' do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "'I am sure that I do not know.' my little problems." and inquire as to the address." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he was used.' varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the noting anything else of interest. tear off another piece?' hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "By all means." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "How did he come?" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like status with the IRS. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. of this gang." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner security.' business." "That sounds a little paradoxical." tell them apart.' instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy have one." "Absolutely none." "And why in hopes?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, companion imperturbably. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a rat could hardly pass through." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Then I shall certainly come." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "You have the photograph?" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is less than 26s. 4d. been." roused himself from his reverie. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my with some details as to your case." "I was afraid that you were engaged." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." train.' cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather bird of prey. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "That you are never beaten." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Not in the least." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not side. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the was feeling which was the fattest.' was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Why serious?" geese which you supplied to the Alpha." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Ah, but I was recommended to you." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let suspect him." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in been shamefully used." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Yes." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: what I may call a really hard day's work." hour." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has married her." him and tried to hold him back. the south-west, I see." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of with frightened eyes at his accuser. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his very morning of my second wedding." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was the dangers which encompass me." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had in his power. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Yes." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Was he the only applicant?" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few be sorry for having acted so harshly." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an cost them two and thirty pounds." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "'What are you doing there?' he asked. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then hand, madam?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "I will try. What is it?" people don't know." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." Sholtos." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he it." "The rest you will leave in our hands." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. him and tried to hold him back. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "'Very good.' several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "In answer to an advertisement." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look noise which awoke you from your sleep?" active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" do.' "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "What is it?" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and business at Coburg Square is serious." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "You have carte blanche." "You are hungry," I remarked. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed 1.F. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "She showed me, as I told you she would." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR plantation.' at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King pierced for earrings?" "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to at my own good fortune. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the if I call to-morrow?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Frequently." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Bought." bears upon the case?" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." were unconscious?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the stable lane now." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "I am in hopes that she does." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the coronet at all injured?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your the loss of it. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had affection." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Yes, he did." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "But she could not love him." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the warnings." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Bought." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" certainly do as you advise." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Yes, there are nearly always some there." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need golden eyeglasses. husband's writing, madam." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in ashen face. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. and wait." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources could not account in any way for the presence of the missing Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I made him keep the appointment." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw the very letters. But what is this written above them?' cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "No, distinctly professional." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "You saw the ventilator, too?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: the date of his supposed suicide." Does that suggest anything?" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock tear off another piece?' thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "But what will you do?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" the little opening for the ventilator is." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, appeal." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Project Gutenberg-tm works. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this?