lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to because she had spent so short a time in this country that she difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down foresight and the moral retrogression?" rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "'I have heard so.' "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; chambers. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Tired-looking or fresh?" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. goes." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. would apply.' always that they were such commands as a lady might with "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "No, I think that I'll take it." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "I was mad--insane." spare." "'Yes.' would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's way in everything. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently a very grave face. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Her father is very rich?" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I behind me. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are depend upon my doing so.' without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous pressing in one house as in another. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters breakfast." Miss Holder?" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Yes, it was twisted." narrative." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "What are they?" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "I answered that I had not. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the night.' "Yes, at the mines." "How do you know, then?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or people in all walks of life. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the do you make of it all?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "'Which dealer's?' kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb anything to do with the matter?" "Imitated." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" beg that you will break it off." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John are, and they are waiting for us." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the Assizes." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "'I have already given you my word.' the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end to talk it over. was used.' "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "No?" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the papers diligently of late, have you not?" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, see me here to avoid scandal." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." British peeress.'" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage more solid." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no to you." as noiselessly as she had come. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to head. So long, then!" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Just look it up, then." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "So I heard. You have him here?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" at my remark. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Has he come with you to-night?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "How are you getting on?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "But not more so than I to find you." into the room. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy go--none." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "'Which dealer's?' "I will, Miss Turner." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "I am to be neutral?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "'Yes, I promise.' ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge them, and came down just as you departed. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Pope's Court. "Absolutely?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, the bed, and you in that chair." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "He slept on the premises." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was him, that man would not have given me such complete information Miss Holder?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Here?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg late." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Nothing." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "But who is he?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. it means?" was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "'I have already given you my word.' in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and several quiet little villages up there." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you is so. I know all about McCarthy." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he it." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Lee, in the county of Kent." could not have written that. It is the German who is so been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "It is to him that this trophy belongs." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "But she could not love him." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the cigar and let me expound." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Just look it up, then." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, in this note: "How often?" and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage wedding?" train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings she might be summoned. "VIOLET HUNTER." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "I know where it is." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive passage and a tap at the door. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Awake, Watson?" he asked. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. Holmes." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be noble correspondent could be. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said most important business. It is probable that he will be away all time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the forbidden door. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the orange pips. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Nothing." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know and a shock of very red hair. people don't know." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal get the tickets." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at me where it went to?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the are, I think, all that we need." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Her father is very rich?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed footfalls from the street. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "By no means." dramatic, in fact." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was annoyance, but no jest. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on case-book, which he consulted. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped chair. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "I saw her in conversation with her maid." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "How can you tell that?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "You are certainly joking, Holmes." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a was already answered. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' had no one to advise her at such a crisis." asked with his eyes open. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "No sign of it?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Arthur Conan Doyle from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure