the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." nothing with him." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to cost them two and thirty pounds." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so not personally threatened." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and business matters.' brandy and water within his reach. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this of a light. felt the room to be a little close.' but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made became a certainty. way in everything. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how such attractions and accomplishments?' caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "From his hat?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "'Where to?' "Yes." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest back into the street. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical into her hand at the door and which lured her within their have accepted such a situation. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two to me. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the man. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have you in yours." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds to-morrow." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "And how did you verify them?" receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "'And the work?' weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "'What are you doing there?' he asked. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. has little to do with my story." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to at my own good fortune. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said intrusion of other matters." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she said I. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the strode off upon his way. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "And how did you verify them?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went papers on the sundial.'" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he most interesting one." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' disappearance of these gems?" started for the Temple to see my husband. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream tightly behind him. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "We have tried and failed." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert said I. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. overpowering excitement and concern. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he money should be paid at once.' coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her him. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just window when the police appeared." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "'Where could I find him?' that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, face and glided from the room. least a most suspicious remark." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Not in the least." "Game for a morning drive?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Then he might have called to you?" "Not particularly." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he that he will be back before evening." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be most interesting one." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Why, what do you mean?" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office must compliment you." I am not easy in my mind about them." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that in my life." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "9th. McCauley cleared. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "I should like to see him very much." matters immensely." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, away in different directions, and I went off to make my own society." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Where did you address your letters, then?" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes grasp, he hurried from the room. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see were unconscious?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon call it cruel." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some think that he is innocent?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. could gather together that I was able to avert another public that you can jump it.' to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion some city in a dream. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Not particularly." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a into the bag, and made for the door. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote advice." "That is easily got." "Entirely." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a relief. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "What have you done?" asked Holmes. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close night.' said he. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and had picked up in the wood. character. "And how did you find out?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming chance." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached time." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you to some other building. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, begun to whiten, even as mine has." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Serpentine Avenue. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Then what has happened to him?" several quiet little villages up there." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met events than those which have happened in my own family." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "But you were on a friendly footing?" that threaten you." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between spare." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Entirely." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "That also I could fathom." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the very morning of the wedding." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, closing the door. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Not social, then?" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by may have an influence upon European history." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "'What would be the hours?' I asked. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "I am still in the dark." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "You horrify me." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." you do it in twenty minutes!' "Look there!" said he. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Witness: It was. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between the coronet in his hand?" tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, maiden herself was most instructive." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which Foundation "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and the Red-headed League." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "At what time?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of read over the extraordinary announcement. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Of what day?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the bled considerably." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Where, then?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Did your wife hear all this?" "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Farm upon the left." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "None." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and who was a member of your goose club." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began depend upon my doing so.' "None." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner obstinate." Street. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Was the window open?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, answer." furiously. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Very truly yours, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Nor running a chance of arrest?" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed appeal." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "And on what day did he meet his death?" a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "No, I am descending." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in it right.' And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of to-night?" I asked. suspect him." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "She told me to ask you." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official right! Sit down and let us talk it over." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather until night should bring an explanation. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the events, Mr. Windibank!" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock to affect your life." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection locked. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Was she in good spirits?" "Yes." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot residence of the great financier. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all interested in these little problems, and since you are good arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to there when the Rucastles went away." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society jewels which you have stolen?' "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion are, and they are waiting for us." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of just ask you whether you had heard it.' the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "It's nothing of the kind."