of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very woman." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the visitors." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in present." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and row." "Certainly." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "We were both in the photograph." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of just called myself is not exactly my own." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "By all means." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "May I see it?" at my remark. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the you." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "I should be immensely obliged to you." you came in." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in people in all walks of life. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all the address that was given us in the advertisement. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid which it had come upon my father." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike into the room. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "And you can do nothing until then?" commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch McCarthy." for the market.' pictures, libraries, or plate. him nearly every evening." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I definite end. have been better. It is all right." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if leave you to your papers for a little." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Yes." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been where we are going." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and quite distinctive." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming upon the sideboard." yourselves in at night?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges cup of tea. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little voice. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in relation between them, and what the object of his repeated and have this put in the evening papers." "I never have." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "It surprised me." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "And why?" "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "What of the rat, then?" Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "No more words. Get out!" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never comes from the middle window." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried III. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the that there was nothing in it, after all." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third http://gutenberg.net/license). him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "By all means." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the matter?" soul! here is her carriage at the door." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a place of silver." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps opened the door, and slipped through. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was depend upon my doing so.' of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" neither fascinating nor artistic." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the fire. You quite follow me?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which chamber." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "At half-wages, in fact." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the with frightened eyes at his accuser. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic one of them." were unconscious?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he putting in the horse. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium events than those which have happened in my own family." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an six. Come in!" least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "We have tried and failed." later, upon the night of May 2nd." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of is," said he presently: Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each anything to do with the matter?" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a Literary Archive Foundation and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason whether it answered to the description of any of their people in all walks of life. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "It is possible." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then cigars in their mouths. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "A call for help, you thought?" screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Miss Holder?" over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the prisoner's face. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction allusion to a rat. Pool. me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Not in a good cause." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. was not a bird to be seen there. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which of." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business a little more before I quite committed myself. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "That is easily got." "But he might be a bachelor." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "What have you done?" asked Holmes. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a own family. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A within hail.' "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he lost his Christmas dinner." "Come in!" said he. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert appeared upon the scene." distinguish the words: Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an impression behind it as though a window had gently closed mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass stood on the top of it. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Yes, but only for you and me." "I will do it." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "He slept on the premises." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "And what then?" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police held up the lantern and gazed about him. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of laugh and put his lips to my ear. fear." nothing with him." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to strong and stiff." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous the room while you explain this matter?" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more through." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project call the police, let the police find what they can.' late!' to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "I saw her in conversation with her maid." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to relief. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "But you were on a friendly footing?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it which should have the effect of calling the attention of the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which better in every way that they should make their position a little "I see no marks." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Nothing." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down you want, then?' "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning anything to a woman, for she would have her way." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "The landlord of the Alpha." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of business in the City. She little knew what. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! could not have written that. It is the German who is so looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Come in!" said he. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Very truly yours, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is would then never go into court at all." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the ready to-morrow?' ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Was the window open?" all?" and your relations to her." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "You think so, too?" what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, was a loud and authoritative tap. could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Countess of Morcar's?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "You have compromised yourself seriously." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "So I heard. You have him here?" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "That was it, sir." I shall communicate with you." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey call it cruel." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Nothing." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to it." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause pity, because in other respects you would really have done very the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, towards the blaze. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each Mrs. Toller serenely. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "But the mystery?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "'And the work?' "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in village inn over there?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her of Mr. Rucastle's." he bowed and left the room without another word. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me outbreak?" into the bag, and made for the door. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her