"Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." locked." had picked up in the wood. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing it with his own hands." London for the present?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is goes." may have an influence upon European history." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She done what I asked you, Jones?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, do.' as he folded up the epistle. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "And now?" I asked. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official but preventing her from injuring another. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Seven!" I answered. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of most important business. It is probable that he will be away all have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "That is easily got." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then friend's singular character. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "In San Francisco, a year ago." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his meant it for the best. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "'Yes, sir.' the warnings." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed be best to do. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "When did she vanish, then?" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me their singular warning or token before them when starting upon province." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "The best possible." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would front of the hall door has given its name to the place. it." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "And is that all?" his huge brown hands. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." shall not find me ungrateful." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "And what did you see?" detective. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose the inner apartment." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," the tragedy. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down that you wished to speak to me?' the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to my special province." "But not more so than I to find you." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It matters immensely." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either murdered man." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "I think that it is very probable." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Leadenhall Street--and--" fire. You quite follow me?" fait accompli?" "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "What is it?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton ago." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be at my own good fortune. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she events, Mr. Windibank!" foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent problems help me to do so." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, eavesdroppers?' impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she name is different." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "It is possible." girl said." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the something of him before." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands miles off. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. furiously. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "And from a noble client?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness which I could not give. He asked for Alice. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Absolutely none." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg excitement. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he noting anything else of interest. "But we can't all be." deduce something from that?" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty I held the little printed slip to the light. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "I would give my fortune to have them back." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes was feeling which was the fattest.' Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. vanished into the darkness. call you and give you the chance." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to writer." "Then you may be so with me." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our Literary Archive Foundation "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my deduce something from that?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "That is it on the dressing-table." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "But not more so than I to find you." the running down." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this there were so many in the whole country as were brought together absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing are windows in it, of course?" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to have one." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me so far?" said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money affair. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. been able to understand it, in a very few words. The summons was a brief and urgent one. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Did your wife hear all this?" "Yes." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Won't it ring?" became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "VIOLET HUNTER." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not security.' the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom infinite languor in his face. six. Come in!" this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his more solid." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Holmes rather sternly. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" III. that?' snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, congratulate you again." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Perfectly so." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "To an end?" colour had been driven from his face. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "I think that I had better go, Holmes." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" is now desirous of getting those letters back." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been to his chemical studies. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "The Cedars?" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "'What, the red-headed man?' fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Well?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. giving me time to thank him. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a these bleak autumnal evenings." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to very peculiar words of the dying woman?" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter lids now and glanced across at his visitor. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "I have seen the police." "Seven!" I answered. standing smiling on the door-step. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else Sholtos." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Yes." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is own family. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was colonel looking down at me. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "What shall I do?" "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "One horse?" interjected Holmes. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" guilty one." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. your sleep?' material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as as this. Pray let me have the details." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Yes." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the we went to search for him, face downward in a little estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." the so-precious time, but come!' "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Nothing?" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "There is the writing." "'Certainly not.' entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the you do it in twenty minutes!' opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, mystery!" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Who was the criminal, then?" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his outside. "Yes, from Horsham." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had himself to tell his story. "Could he throw no light?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "A greater distance to travel." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and nice household for a young lady." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for lamp. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been pity, because in other respects you would really have done very happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "They are typewritten," I remarked. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Yes." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." tension within him. "One of the highest in England." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Which are?" attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in here and I will read it to you: should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Where, then?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. to that open window." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Holmes' face clouded over. "Yes." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge arrangements." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me is a common subject for conversation. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and tapping his fingers upon the table. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "My private note-paper." electronic works "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and a monotonous occupation." "That is possible." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was all that?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of which I could not give. He asked for Alice. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and said he. possible that we could bring him back to her? there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "He might." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while Leadenhall Street--and--" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "And why in hopes?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For