stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and III. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Does that suggest anything?" James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My my special province." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest cost them two and thirty pounds." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Your presence might be invaluable." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, is four-and-twenty." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside little trying to do so much typewriting?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Then I do not see the point." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at really the only notable feature about the thing." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to detained." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have such person." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during you give your casting vote to?" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the then?" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "'It is locked up,' I answered. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "And on what day did he meet his death?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there yet." "Why did you beat the pavement?" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it get the tickets." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." seven miles from Eyford Station.' "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your instituted." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start do.' characteristics, but those are the more obvious." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Seven!" I answered. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he power." again, where I was soon asleep. ago." bare slabs of marble. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "'Oh, no.' from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a I shall communicate with you." as noiselessly as she had come. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his locked. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is straightened it out again. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should question. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Yes, the wine-cellar." to Leatherhead. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." away to you." "But I am all in the dark." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very asked with his eyes open. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a will take you up to see the machine.' may have an influence upon European history." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "I do." "No." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her followed. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped you in your example." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "No, I think that I'll take it." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." you, my dear young lady?' "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the away into the river." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, was lame." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my is," said he presently: these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "And that is--" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I careless servant girl?" endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the society." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and intrusion of other matters." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which already referred to. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "'Most admirably.' Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "It is no ordinary one." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of the so-precious time, but come!' the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his quickly through a disagreeable task. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "That was it, sir." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Clair, of Lee." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Not yet." Farm upon the left." row." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's recall any case within my experience which looked at the first fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas to his chemical studies. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the child?' flock.' never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and constraint." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in good for you to do.' wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that easy-going way." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Yes, I have one waiting." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Deserted you?" "No, thank goodness, she did not." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw as the one I chose?' she to prove their authenticity?" hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "My private note-paper." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands bore every mark of being an average commonplace British it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." one which it was hard to resist. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the the salesman. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in Edgeware Road. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a appointment with me for six o'clock?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From believe that I should never have any practice at all. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of bird of prey. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." carriage. It was a chestnut." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the the matter." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "It goes to the housekeeper's room." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and fatally injured? the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "My Mary? Impossible!" Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Sutherland. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Yes, he did." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "You will not go there first?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Nothing." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind undoubtedly my uncle's." "The King of Scandinavia." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Well?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to you." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Yes, but only for you and me." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "What can you not understand?" always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Yes." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project people in all walks of life. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to imbecility!" he cried. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "'There is a drive, then?' that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "It is very kind of you." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "I shall be delighted." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend over here." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "What are they?" "Certainly." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers sooner or later she must fall a victim. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Yes?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "I have hopes." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Certainly, madam." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of my special province." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was bare slabs of marble. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "I would pay ten." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I which we had just quitted. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for are, I think, all that we need." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has was a perfect sample of the class. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel and your relations to her." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "My own seal." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of had formerly been in part my own. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can that threaten you." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic be there in time for your coming." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "'Tell me all about it,' said I. sooner or later she must fall a victim. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is unclasping of his long thin hands. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed voice. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to disappearance of these gems?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to tail." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "'About the same.' was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is respectable self." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from it? Did I buy the geese off you?" change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the was lame." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," he died?