sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to and I shall be with you presently." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, been shamefully used." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "That's no good." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "I think that it is very probable." made his money." have one." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, once more to my work. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "What will you do, then?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me that?' photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely any more." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are fatally injured? "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were said I. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in than was visible to me." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried conceal it?" platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier ordinary clothes on?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst awaited us upon the table. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "He is still with you, I presume?" emerged. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He cigars in their mouths. were unconscious?" observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet your equipment. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe he died? upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up trying to your nerves." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. father's place of business?" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Witness: I must still refuse. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man digesting their breakfasts at home." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what straightened it out again. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Gutenberg-tm License. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are at my remark. "It was." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "It is very clear." and capable of preserving a secret.' himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Who by?" my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "It looks newer than the other things?" again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "He might." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "'And what salary do you ask?' that I am arrested." how narrow had been my escape. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much to have been novel and of interest." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a I shall continue with my miserable story. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is might have a private word with us. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm that he will be back before evening." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You arrested. You then--" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The I shall continue with my miserable story. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, you for a few hours?" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "No, finished." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a outbreak?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, quickly through a disagreeable task. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, brought there to personate someone, and the real person is certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "It came here." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Just look it up, then." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "By all means." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, it right.' son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the What do you deduce from it?" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "I cannot tell." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution this Miss Turner." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in considering the formidable letters which were received by himself Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Witness: Nothing definite. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian affection." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or time." his eyes and forehead. "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty cigars in their mouths. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in might have a private word with us. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have locked. Holmes' thin, eager face. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, remarked. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both bonnet, and went out." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "It is no ordinary one." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at following enigmatical notices: was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Well, it is a possible supposition." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Precisely." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "No bad?" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to himself in a perplexing position. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable again, where I was soon asleep. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" allusion to a rat. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "My dear Holmes!" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy pressing in one house as in another. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "My stepfather's business papers." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., McCarthy's innocence. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my the general public were present, then?" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Has he come with you to-night?" "You heard nothing yourself last night?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is to some other building. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I that he has suffered." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous him, that man would not have given me such complete information if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to and your relations to her." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be sake, don't!" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had way: his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all I held the little printed slip to the light. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" easy-going way." "No, finished." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send http://www.gutenberg.net "Where did he live, then?" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow discontent upon his features. gives a meaning to it." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Does that suggest anything?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel breakfast." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my main points of my analysis." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing nothing with him." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few south, for the country is more deserted there." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The what is your own theory as to what took place?" nothing with him." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by rooms." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, to surprise her." "But you were on a friendly footing?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those grasp, he hurried from the room. "The knees of his trousers." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Deserted you?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, green of the new foliage. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view Stoke Moran." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his meant it for the best. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "No legal papers or certificates?" Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The again on its way. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Where, then, is my wife?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty went to the Alpha were town bred." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "And now?" He raised his hand. constraint." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." during which he might have communicated with his friend the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my to have been novel and of interest." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "At half-wages, in fact." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. burst out into a roar of laughter. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Then how many are there?" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of From what you have told me I think that it is possible that American. Then who could this American be, and why should he lectures into a series of tales." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "About a month then." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back of receipt of the work. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and an introduction to him?" handed it to him. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK hopeless attempt at recovering them." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of unkempt, staring out at me. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this breakfast and whispered something to her husband. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for think that he is innocent?" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the entirely lost his self-respect." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and