gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the remarked. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "And you don't know his address?" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I your own bird, so if you wish--" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Pray continue your narrative." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Yes?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior girl said." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to figure." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I colonel looking down at me. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored happened." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged your most interesting statement." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had one else, I think." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "To an end?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael asked with his eyes open. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped writers could invent nothing more crude." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Witness: It was. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to be. a good hundred miles off by now." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows father's place of business?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. looking up at the numbers of the houses." cheerful." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear have not had my rubber." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his will be renamed. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an retorted upon me, and I on you." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us habit of advancing money.' "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "BALLARAT." "Entirely." occurred." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "It missed him, then?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Precisely so. But how--" out of this horrible affair." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put investigation." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his standing smiling on the door-step. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' newspaper selections." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "'Certainly not.' day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found highroad, where all traces were lost. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Very well, sir. And this stone?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "But you would not advise me to refuse?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "That is unusual in a young girl." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, Surrey." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, was not a bird to be seen there. to tell." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. your billet.' though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to lamp. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he is four-and-twenty." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Perhaps we may make them less so." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil bird I ate is country bred." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Where, then, is my wife?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "You know me, then?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet hard-headed British jury." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and States. address. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an nothing with him." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the friend's singular character. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the what do you think they found in the pockets?" distinguish the words: "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen It was close upon four before the door opened, and a certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Nothing." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his invisible to me," I remarked. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, ceremony." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid had picked up in the wood. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "I shall most certainly do so." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn him." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the and the church but not where the lady lived." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for are, and they are waiting for us." "And now?" He raised his hand. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of works. See paragraph 1.E below. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Yes." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, me where it went to?" stepfather?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Not him." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Then I shall certainly come." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "She will not sell." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood which it had come upon my father." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and opportunities to fix the problem. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Never." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not asked with his eyes open. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the the tragedy. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." cause to be." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "That is unusual in a young girl." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did arms and began to sob in a high treble key. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue any little problem which you may submit to me." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present might have a private word with us. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the of his shoulders. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the experiences." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. hereditary King of Bohemia." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the carpenter." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "To an English lawyer named Norton." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door said I. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we shadow pass over his face as I spoke. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed trying to your nerves." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these and shall probably return to London by the evening train." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Entirely." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "What are they?" long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a enter into my head. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "What do you make of that, Watson?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, nonsense.' "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must fire. You quite follow me?" posted to-day." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "VIOLET HUNTER." late!' left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a least a fellow-countryman. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of The police have openly confessed that they can at present make dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining know that the truth is known." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so it. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this test if we have an answer to our advertisement." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry through." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or morning." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we begun to whiten, even as mine has." nothing with him." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a within hail.' began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "No legal papers or certificates?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will know what is wrong with it.' On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such quickly through a disagreeable task. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Well, it is a possible supposition." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very This is what he says: I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "I will do it." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom young Openshaw's." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Then he might have called to you?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Yes. He waved his hands." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "What!" he roared. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and my special province." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the such attractions and accomplishments?' while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have