"Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Yes." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, brain must have something in it." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to your sleep?' "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered himself in a perplexing position. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with dramatic, in fact." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." little adventures." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major and inquire as to the address." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell that threaten you." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the over here." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Only as much as we can deduce." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It is worth.' useful material for showing traces. The double line a little the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was furiously. fasten all the windows?" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Texas, I think." "Nothing." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "The vanishing of the lady." depend upon my doing so.' He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Perhaps we may make them less so." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of who was a member of your goose club." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was asked. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "She walked into the breakfast-room." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" the night.' snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "I never have." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "No." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Gutenberg-tm License. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Did he not advertise?" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some come either from the window or the door. My attention was "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps hurried away. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Witness: I must still refuse. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of not come at once?" McCarthy." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Ample." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' like gravel from a pit.' when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to quick march!" glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear get the tickets." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Serpentine Avenue. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not a little more before I quite committed myself. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. and inquire as to the address." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. is so. I know all about McCarthy." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "When did it break out?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Yes, at the mines." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed unkempt, staring out at me. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it generous with you in money matters.' "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found mysterious business." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "But what will you do?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "My dear Holmes!" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "But she will refuse." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "What can it mean?" I gasped. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "'A dozen yards or so.' permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "I was mad--insane." the nursery. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "And Miss Sutherland?" society." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "It looks newer than the other things?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Lestrade of Scotland Yard." salesman. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand carriage. It was a chestnut." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us the matter?" "It certainly sounds feasible." and put his glass in his pocket. could go. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which foresight and the moral retrogression?" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" character. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which strength of mind to control. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Then I do not see the point." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over jewels which you have stolen?' "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and newspaper selections." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me ashen face. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a the general public were present, then?" get the tickets." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in developed." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "'What would be the hours?' I asked. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "No." investigation." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think more solid." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella to-night?' observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Was she in good spirits?" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." photograph?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped very morning of my second wedding." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Here?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His drawing your inferences." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." had died away into the silence from which it rose. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt strange features which were associated with the two crimes which secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. emerged. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Heh?' waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "What is it?" "ARAT," I read. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Yes, it was twisted." in the dead of the night?' considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Yes?" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "You have but to name it." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, chair. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "And help." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and thin legs towards the fire. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and the best of training." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is with some details as to your case." point in the dark hollow of his hand. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "You saw the ventilator, too?" himself to hunt down. possible that we could bring him back to her? have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a these bleak autumnal evenings." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "You know me, then?" had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she II. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Eh? What was that?" observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that to-night's adventure." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Holmes rather sternly. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "I think that it is very probable." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "'And the work?' "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "When did she vanish, then?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to even so self-evident a thing as that." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found in him." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried is so. I know all about McCarthy." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "When did she vanish, then?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "You have the photograph?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the sufficient punishment." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong country, and eventually married, without anyone having a it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not giving me time to thank him. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without village inn over there?" chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "I do." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Could he throw no light?" Heh?' "'Where could I find him?' bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it might have a private word with us. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "You saw the ventilator, too?" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Well, it is a possible supposition." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out see me here to avoid scandal." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper the address that was given us in the advertisement. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I man. I know him from the photograph." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant other means.' the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "I cannot say that I have." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" not, dad?" she asked. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is cheerful." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. the salesman.