well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All fait accompli?" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases the matter." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Well." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens unprecedented a position." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. fasten all the windows?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "I am about to be married." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that him." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Of what?" approach us with offers to donate. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided have I gained?" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and interest. They are important, you understand, without being against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. the general public were present, then?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." question. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. anything to do with the matter?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, assist you in forming an opinion." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of asked. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Can I be of assistance?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic started for the Temple to see my husband. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I six. Come in!" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any such person." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "To an end?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he crime." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his of fine shops and stately business premises that they really whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "The murder was done with it." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Of Friday, June 19th." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "But how could you guess what the motive was?" promised to bring home. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the beyond words. roused himself from his reverie. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Yes, sir." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself should be taken.' doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez it." with frightened eyes at his accuser. were wasted." question. fishes. was not a bird to be seen there. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "What is it, then--a fire?" hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Do you know him?" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "'Never.' "And now?" I asked. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." obstinate." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm leave you to your papers for a little." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "There is the writing." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a fact, we may call it conclusive." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban speckled band?" "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door this poor creature." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no have I gained?" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my already referred to. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, trying to your nerves." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "And what then?" even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in less than 26s. 4d. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "And for present expenses?" we went to search for him, face downward in a little flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and noble correspondent could be. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Which are?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would know that the truth is known." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I father's place of business?" Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the 1.E.9. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Oh, the cause is excellent!" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped politicians who had been sent down from the North. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should delighted to hear it," he said. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small papers." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. I was concerned in it." "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Thank you. And your address?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" sound at heart." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "May I see it?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "My photograph." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Not him." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, my former friend and companion. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my newspaper selections." charge against him will break down." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see answered with a sidelong glance. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and there was no need for father to know." four million human beings all jostling each other within the appeared upon the scene." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant directly by questioning you." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over fluttered off among the others. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of infinite languor in his face. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to train from Paddington which would bring you there at about intrusion of other matters." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a unprecedented a position." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course legal crime." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Gutenberg-tm License. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of have not had my rubber." think you a quite exceptional woman." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "I was mad--insane." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "'Is 4 pounds a week.' myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Have you her photograph?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was indiscretion." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Texas, I think." to his chemical studies. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "I am to be neutral?" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at the coroner come to?" "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished question. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the Pool. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this already referred to. your co-operation." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a golden eyeglasses. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "No legal papers or certificates?" "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Where does the thing come from?' "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "How long did she speak to this Alice?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' see me here to avoid scandal." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. learned something! Where are the gems?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Yes." "I would pay ten." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "And how did you verify them?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Yes, he did." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between once more on the important position which you have been fortunate hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well his wife has ceased to love him." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, cigar and let me expound." that eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "On your arm?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, gigantic client. ready to-morrow?' said he at last. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a even so self-evident a thing as that." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, me." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness cheerful." tightly behind him. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "He might." me where it went to?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Indeed! Whose, then?" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in question you as to those details which seem to me to be most posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: him nearly every evening." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits father's place of business?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had when your master had gone out." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "He disappeared so suddenly." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy me. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Bought." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "About a month then." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very shadow pass over his face as I spoke. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "'What would be the hours?' I asked. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." of the vacancies.' reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Precisely so. But how--" this Miss Turner." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "You will not go there first?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "She walked into the breakfast-room." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Pray do so." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Miss Holder?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." so.' a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very walking." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a see me here to avoid scandal." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. some terrible trap for her." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent