'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "I will try. What is it?" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of DISSOLVED. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms of the vacancies.' a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing when you have done it." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "And I to find an enemy." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "No." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and to-morrow." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. carried out of court." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked upon a handsome competence. chambers. "My dear Holmes!" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Leadenhall Street--and--" unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant invisible to me," I remarked. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, see me here to avoid scandal." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, meanly of me." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth get her out of the way." keep the flames under. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "I will get her to show me." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "You saw the ventilator, too?" generous with you in money matters.' young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything character. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some for the market.' managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Ten will be early enough." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely I. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "You have the photograph?" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well the tragedy. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Then I shall certainly come." late!' it were putty." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the tear off another piece?' entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his October 9, 1890. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and was a lad." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by interests were the same as his." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that call for protection in the marriage market, for the present been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his examination of the premises, but without finding anything which defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." touch that coronet?' signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H congratulate you again." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "May I see it?" Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his the roots. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Heh?' at home. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "I will try. What is it?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "You did not overhear what they said?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point it with his own hands." "No, distinctly professional." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is to a more successful conclusion." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards over his head with a sweet womanly caress. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I vault. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." my little problems." into the room. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat bird I ate is country bred." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Henry Baker is a member." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "He said too much." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "It missed him, then?" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I horse could go." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "'And the work?' his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "The best possible." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' My friend smiled. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "'Oh, no.' bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and when you have done it." child?' stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. clanging. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "'As governess?' him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and know what is wrong with it.' "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Project Gutenberg-tm works. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a stalked out of the room. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest friends, not even his own brother. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend with the outside air!" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is think that any burglar could have done. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Pray be precise as to details," said he. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "I fear not." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at You can understand that this register and diary may implicate foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his in his power. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. most interesting one." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We companion. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer weapon." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. pictures, libraries, or plate. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he triumphant cloud from his cigarette. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I were new raised from a basin. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "And what then?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he other lovers by making love himself." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Not in the least." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "No, I am descending." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan extraordinary contortions. think you a quite exceptional woman." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I and glanced through. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? father's place of business?" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me electronic works Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "One of the highest in England." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." rooms." "What can you not understand?" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a at my remark. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the good for you to do.' began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" already referred to. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that not as remarkable as your advertisement." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have he died? handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him considering the formidable letters which were received by himself few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. will take you up to see the machine.' While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Gutenberg-tm License. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Ah!" upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "The vanishing of the lady." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may I leave." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "I assure you that I am in your hands." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' there when the Rucastles went away." sparkled upon his finger. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of of your young ladies.' "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap success. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you present." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been straightened it out again. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm had picked up in the wood. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots strode off upon his way. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, For additional contact information: must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "What then?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and unprofitable." "And you don't know his address?" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during house for five minutes.' "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire bell. Holmes whistled. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "'Yes, I promise.' whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in meanly of me." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "'Is purely nominal.' the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "She will not sell." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Yes, all." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor me upon any point which I do not make clear." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the round and wave him away like that.' Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the of receipt of the work. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to to affect your life." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Absolutely none." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of orange pips. "The vanishing of the lady." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "How did that help you?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his upon the white wrist. "'And what salary do you ask?' "How do you know, then?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Yes, but only for you and me." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be tightly behind him. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at to have been novel and of interest." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door