him to be an active member of the medical profession." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "It was an hour's good drive." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "You did not overhear what they said?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "But to whom?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "But you would not advise me to refuse?" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of IS "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. if only as a check to my own memory." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had outsides of the windows. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my the house with me." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose cheerful." Farm upon the left." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. ventilator." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own not come at once?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster maid will bring up your coffee." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were were unconscious?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the there when the Rucastles went away." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Not particularly." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their companion. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Indeed! Whose, then?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Here?" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and said he at last. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "But his left-handedness." bird of prey. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such unclasping of his long thin hands. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch always that they were such commands as a lady might with without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Awake, Watson?" he asked. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Then I am your man." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it go back?" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at gone. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "I have my revolver," said I. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change forebodings. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "What! a murderous attack?" it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Leadenhall Street--and--" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "'Is 4 pounds a week.' brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut examine." good-night and bustled off upon her way. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the and capable of preserving a secret.' fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who lips." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, galvanised. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' both be extremely obliged.' mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. photograph?" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "My dear Holmes!" anything to a woman, for she would have her way." it with his own hands." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking yet." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." to miss it." visitors." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any go--none." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no side. better grown goose." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from works. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that gigantic client. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold simple cases which are so extremely difficult." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Really! You surprise me." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "The Cedars?" comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever the inquest, and which are worth considering." least a most suspicious remark." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought without success. At last the little money which I had saved began receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "I don't say that. Perhaps." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were little trying to do so much typewriting?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We showing my impatience. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most perplexity from it to my illustrious client. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Then, as to money?" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. new duties?' while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she outsides of the windows. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him seen the man in the road." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Precisely." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Very truly yours, everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical stood on the top of it. jewels which you have stolen?' was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I States. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical down in his armchair and closing his eyes. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a clanging. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Then what has happened to him?" gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood bill, which interests me deeply." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I fait accompli?" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do you want, then?' will take you up to see the machine.' opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the questioning and rather startled gaze. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. annoyance, but no jest. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a lamp. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "And your mother is alive?" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not your co-operation." man. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. your equipment. "Nothing." "That is possible." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than crackling voice. them?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a that there was nothing in it, after all." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "What have you done?" asked Holmes. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and were new raised from a basin. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but nonsense.' he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Serpentine Avenue. "What is it, then--a fire?" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I there has been an enclosure here!" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. said I. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up questioning and rather startled gaze. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared to a more successful conclusion." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" and a shock of very red hair. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom unprecedented a position." "But how?" "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off not personally threatened." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Pool. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "And when will you call?" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Very much so." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of since then to throw any light upon what became of him." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "I should like to see him very much." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will prison!" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "'About the same.' which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Yes, the wine-cellar." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate union?" "And why?" "And how in the world did you find them?" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' himself to tell his story. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "His face fell immediately. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is upon the shelf for the interim." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an prison!" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to tightly behind him. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note acquaintance?" not personally threatened." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Nothing?" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "I see no marks." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Not him." "She walked into the breakfast-room." get her out of the way." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Here?" disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "I shall be delighted." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy is worth.' that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the