as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." joking. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that The events in question occurred in the early days of my X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the and all of them with the keenest interest. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I sake, don't!" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Always." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," was shining brightly. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could main points of my analysis." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." remarked. "It is very kind of you." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Texas, I think." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed the nursery. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the prepare for the new role I have to play." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "What then?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Yes." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." better grown goose." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the confronted him. "Upon what point?" It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Certainly." standing smiling on the door-step. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "What, then, did Peterson do?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to attention." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. his face. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. face and glided from the room. placed his cuttings. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "But how could you guess what the motive was?" memory. leave you to your papers for a little." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and bed dies. Does not that strike you?" into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I noble correspondent could be. in my life." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "It is solved." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "My stepfather's business papers." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "A confidential servant?" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. cup of tea. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a from the brougham. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "That's no good." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "'Where could I find him?' know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the take the flies, but not before." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great it." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp quite distinctive." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in of a light. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Where, then?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I there is a decided draught." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. late!' most interesting one." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. will be renamed. "How often?" was a loud and authoritative tap. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Yes, he did." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Where did you address your letters, then?" During two years I have had three consultations and one small destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the minor matters until to-morrow." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he was a loud and authoritative tap. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Witness: It was. "The knees of his trousers." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's deduce something from that?" saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "The doctor?" disappearance of these gems?" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door train.' o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple six. Come in!" key turn in the lock." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Holmes. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "One of his hands." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to politicians who had been sent down from the North. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." writer." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love your bag." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in house for five minutes.' for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "This concluded the examination of the witness." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Yes." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for interests were the same as his." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what noting anything else of interest. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "His face fell immediately. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Look there!" said he. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less crowd. empty. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. at home. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "None. Neville wrote those words." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "No." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can when you have done it." ago." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Is he quiet?" to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the general public were present, then?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was the Friday. Was it to be in church?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Come in!" said he. upon an income of about 60 pounds." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle as he folded up the epistle. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Never to return." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Imitated." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his the King without delay." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the particular state visit http://pglaf.org absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "It certainly sounds feasible." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'Ten to two.' friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside strength of mind to control. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." jewels which you have stolen?' complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the and all of them with the keenest interest. But Holmes shook his head gravely. I shall communicate with you." "I am in hopes that she does." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress that the gas is not laid on in his house?" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Married! When?" "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while with some details as to your case." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings not come at once?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Yes, all." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Yes?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "It is possible." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "I cannot tell." appeal." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "And I to find an enemy." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "What office?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly this truth that in these little records of our cases which you persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than acted in my house last night?" London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "That's no good." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose sit on the left-hand side of the driver." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would shag which I had seen upon the previous night. and inquire as to the address." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my are windows in it, of course?" when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace what I may call a really hard day's work." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to father's place of business?" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the really the only notable feature about the thing." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were affection." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just to that open window." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door *** START: FULL LICENSE *** snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an works. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came to change my dress. "And who is her maid?" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "'What would be the hours?' I asked. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one is a common subject for conversation. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "I should be immensely obliged to you." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I populous neighbourhood." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a the driver. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. his fortune, and I went back to pa. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "No." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, what these perils are?" "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He bachelor.' well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His girl said." you understand?" lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of key of the affair now." "Thank you. And your address?" "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who photograph?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he was a loud and authoritative tap. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been question," said Holmes, smiling. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Absolutely none." out." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over to-night." Gutenberg-tm License. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the During two years I have had three consultations and one small arrested. You then--" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "A thing like a cleaver," said he. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a in his power. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" them, and came down just as you departed. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a breakfast?" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I husband's writing, madam." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me both be extremely obliged.' and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect