"'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the coronet in his hand?" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in fluttered off among the others. letters?" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a towards the blaze. and the colonel ushered me in. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported go--none." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Yes, certainly." eavesdroppers?' silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and the so-precious time, but come!' perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you happened." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, approach us with offers to donate. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an British peeress.'" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the stable lane now." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "I should wish to." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Street. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "I would give my fortune to have them back." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits question you as to those details which seem to me to be most paper in the air. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. lost nothing by them." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "I guessed as much." "But we can't all be." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money said I. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You footfalls from the street. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Where did you address your letters, then?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Yes, certainly." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of wanted for ourselves." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Precisely so. But how--" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his his knees, staring into the fire. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" of Mr. Rucastle's." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to looking up at the numbers of the houses." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle father's young wife. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Precisely so. But how--" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Here?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his thirty. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his enter Dr. Roylott's room." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and voice, changing her seat as requested. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, there." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "I have solved it." three fields round his house, and there he would take his meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United few hundred pounds.' call for it in person on Monday morning.' presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered is a common subject for conversation. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept emerged. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Because he was handy and would come cheap." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one works. See paragraph 1.E below. good for you to do.' not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the least a fellow-countryman. shall not find me ungrateful." grasp, he hurried from the room. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, notes," he said. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away arrested. You then--" comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "It is no ordinary one." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a geese which you supplied to the Alpha." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of go back?" posted to-day." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Entirely." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Yes, the wine-cellar." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. in the dead of the night?' but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Yes." "But she could not love him." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "What do you mean?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by My friend smiled. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the advice." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I green of the new foliage. "Witness: I must still refuse. ourselves in the office." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the noting anything else of interest. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had bill, which interests me deeply." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary the stones. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the is worth.' narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this key turn in the lock." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave in the dead of the night?' in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Then what has happened to him?" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." matters immensely." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Yes." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been Literary Archive Foundation shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and the best of training." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate cheerful." I shall continue with my miserable story. thirty. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had shaken than I had ever seen him. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "I will, Miss Turner." "We were both in the photograph." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the be. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend residence of the great financier. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Here?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "VIOLET HUNTER." "'Why that?' I asks. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" at a side door. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the unclasping of his long thin hands. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "The Coroner: What do you mean? huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade your own bird, so if you wish--" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "What then?" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of bonnet, and went out." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to more terrible than the truth. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by photograph a cabinet?" notes," he said. photograph?" "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "That is unusual in a young girl." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "No, I think that I'll take it." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able the Red-headed League." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my enter into my head. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged retorted upon me, and I on you." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what forebodings. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last said he. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly joking. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "'What do you call purely nominal?' "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter her also." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Of what?" an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never bonnet, and went out." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "It is his hat." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Of what day?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "My private note-paper." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have anything to do with the matter?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the what do you think they found in the pockets?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked case-book, which he consulted. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where at home. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "I don't say that. Perhaps." to-night." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. in this note: upon the shelf for the interim." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she the roots. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that is acting for the best. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give him nearly every evening." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the generous with you in money matters.' I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was wedding?" burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while and files of the old papers, following the future career of every exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "I don't say that. Perhaps." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "The rest you will leave in our hands." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent matters immensely." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking good-night and bustled off upon her way. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted clang of the bell. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Quite so. She has her freedom." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under was keenly on my guard against him. in the dead of the night?'