"Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as a few minutes he said that it would be all right. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "You have the photograph?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if occurred." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." open." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which investigation." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some will he say when he returns?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Not I." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "'I have heard so.' far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. foresight and the moral retrogression?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was I approached. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Why? What do you mean?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and bell. Holmes whistled. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I my little problems." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Nothing." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' already been minutely examined." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but presume?" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the suddenly upon us." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow said he. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. in the dead of the night?' strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the new duties?' "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I furiously. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer his knees, staring into the fire. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the coronet in his hands?" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "By no means." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "You horrify me!" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Then, how do you know?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my the running down." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see nothing with him." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will knowledge of the world." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told swore that no one else had been in the front room during the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "In the cells." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Come in!" said Holmes. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and were unconscious?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the peculiar to him. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "'And what salary do you ask?' he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I mysterious end." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet my little problems." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the IS erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Was there a secret marriage?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the go back?" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am the side-table." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with wedding?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Edgeware Road. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest joking. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much sofa. This way, please!" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than quickly through a disagreeable task. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very DAMAGE. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "You were travelling in the States?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in out of this horrible affair." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "I was sure that I might rely on you." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is own family. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. jewels which you have stolen?' "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. desk. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "But you would not advise me to refuse?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, events than those which have happened in my own family." "Precisely." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without posted to-day." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "What is it?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." one of the states of the Union." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to enter into my head. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, letters?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Pray let us have it, for all that." little trying to do so much typewriting?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. business matters.' villagers almost as much as their master. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing third from London." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Does that suggest anything?" practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the that?' Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a people don't know." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "I beg pardon." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to information in his hands the value of which he did not himself squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "What are they?" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air this poor creature." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. back alive. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Will you go?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to your bag." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the down. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something I nodded to show that I had heard. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed it means?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you new acquaintance to Baker Street. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is details." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "None." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general at home. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which already referred to. trying to your nerves." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "How did that help you?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem peculiar to him. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would becomes even more simple." himself. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere fuss that is made over them." acquaintance?" feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, at home. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been front of the hall door has given its name to the place. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "At half-wages, in fact." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. will not take me long to tell. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I should like to see him very much." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "That is unusual in a young girl." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw the little opening for the ventilator is." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my to-night." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and