enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had in one or two places in England?' Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in digesting their breakfasts at home." His smile broadened. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "'And what are they worth?' I asked. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Oh, fresh and glossy." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend at my own good fortune. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that that he has suffered." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper little trying to do so much typewriting?" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing the stable lane now." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Pray let us have it, for all that." "No." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "It must be recovered." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "That sounds a little paradoxical." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' it." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. had picked up in the wood. papers diligently of late, have you not?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "I will get her to show me." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "None." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right empty. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. appointment with me for six o'clock?" again on its way. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the leave you to your papers for a little." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to sit on the left-hand side of the driver." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and of the efforts of the United States government and of the better that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "From his hat?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "You have carte blanche." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' about. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked despaired of." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "From his hat?" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "But you can know nothing of this?" "'Where could I find him?' some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. your Highness to the police-station?" the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "No." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. matter." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and showing my impatience. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most fattened it expressly for you.' on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." me." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry weigh very heavily upon my conscience." wall." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I cost them two and thirty pounds." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' which we had just quitted. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham The note was undated, and without either signature or address. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it which our visitor detailed to us. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps populous neighbourhood." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a lips." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." forbidden door. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, hopeless attempt at recovering them." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "The doctor?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while it." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with I. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and me. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "'It is locked up,' I answered. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of License. You must require such a user to return or he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the even of instruction." "There are none." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" geese which you supplied to the Alpha." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be geese which you supplied to the Alpha." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "To an English lawyer named Norton." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "An accident, I presume?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" do.' Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Where did he live, then?" is," said he presently: solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of dead, shall be safe with us." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke during which he might have communicated with his friend the during that time.' He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "He is still with you, I presume?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the redistribution. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his occupations.' The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "What do you make of that, Watson?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back right! Sit down and let us talk it over." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Of what?" strong reason behind." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, confronted him. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Eh? What was that?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the detained." "And what did you see?" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. had this final quarrel? then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. obstinate." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father asked. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Of what?" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "It is very clear." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Why serious?" somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" wanted for ourselves." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Tired-looking or fresh?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very a suggestive one." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. was keenly on my guard against him. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost chance at all." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. a suggestive one." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is you?" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Precisely so. But how--" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and burst into a hearty fit of laughter. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss answer." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my read it out to me." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Why? What do you mean?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved way in everything. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a think you a quite exceptional woman." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not gigantic client. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "She will not sell." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his gbnewby@pglaf.org of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the dates and names. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable posted to-day." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "9th. McCauley cleared. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Two days later this same performance was gone through under certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "And your father? Did you tell him?" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that during which he might have communicated with his friend the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had very old mansion. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg the room while you explain this matter?" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, learned something! Where are the gems?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable outsides of the windows. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and breakfast and whispered something to her husband. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" to that open window." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to What do you deduce from it?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, brain must have something in it." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to in his power. "What, then, did Peterson do?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London,