about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions opened a pocket-book and took out a note. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "When did it break out?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand washing it down with a long draught of water. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in open." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of companion. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Frequently." "My private note-paper." "Perhaps I have." I think that I could be of assistance to you." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "And the cigar-holder?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Get out!" said he. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and it. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he you." fluttered off among the others. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I strong reason behind." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "When did she vanish, then?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about becomes even more simple." "I came to find a friend." "We must have a cab." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "But who is he?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, anything to do with the matter?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Sutherland?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I mystery may be cleared along those lines." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Yesterday." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching directors, with the result that you have seen." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' at my remark. It may be so in this case, also." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked some mystery and the punishment of some crime." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I and put his glass in his pocket. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I the coronet at all injured?" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "'I have already given you my word.' "Well, but China?" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Munro.' been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in matter over." that he has suffered." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "'It is locked up,' I answered. him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Stolen." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop as yours." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "I would give my fortune to have them back." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. true." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical amused." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Literary Archive Foundation perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Bought." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must For additional contact information: despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the that you wished to speak to me?' "That is it on the dressing-table." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do to take care of herself." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "I cannot tell." "Won't it ring?" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Yes, they were peculiar boots." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a quickly through a disagreeable task. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of ways of our fellow-men." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and had picked up in the wood. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "None." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "And now?" He raised his hand. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls are, I think, all that we need." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small heavily into it. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. could not have written that. It is the German who is so invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my went to the Alpha were town bred." highly," said Holmes. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are question. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church of this gang." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "That is it on the dressing-table." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His his eyes and forehead. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. business." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down trifles." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them points to suicide?" Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his extraordinary contortions. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had in this note: from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I be best to do. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Countess of Morcar's?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of fled together." "I shall most certainly do so." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to and a shock of very red hair. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the with you?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Heh?' We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from said he at last. whatever might befall. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "I am about to be married." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other friends, not even his own brother. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I that successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was heavy and sharp instrument." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Where is it, then?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that already referred to. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Yes." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in present." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my digesting their breakfasts at home." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he indeed which he could not unravel. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in unclasping of his long thin hands. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you tightly behind him. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Dirty?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever of a light. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Young McCarthy must be got off, however." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "But you can know nothing of this?" hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming bill, which interests me deeply." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while which I could not give. He asked for Alice. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped next day. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I to some other building. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the intrusion of other matters." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "He slept on the premises." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding should be taken.' "You will not go there first?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. the stones. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "It must be recovered." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy noting anything else of interest. placed his cuttings. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, possible that we could bring him back to her? are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "He is dead," cried several voices. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which were new raised from a basin. to a more successful conclusion." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Not I." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Nothing." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "The Cedars?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Well, it is a possible supposition." is acting for the best. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with character. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. hurried by. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as It may be so in this case, also." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "His face fell immediately. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait suddenly upon us." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "An accident, I presume?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "No." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for