when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to wife's character?" "If so, much may have happened between." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "How can you tell that?" latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent exactly what you advise." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they sound at heart." During two years I have had three consultations and one small place of silver." "What will you say?" "Yes." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, husband's writing, madam." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that dead, shall be safe with us." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Yes, sir." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their intimate personal affairs in this public manner." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what had died away into the silence from which it rose. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Which surely he restored to their owner?" interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of companion quietly. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Yes." you." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him time." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it there is a decided draught." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, woman." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his pound a week." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said of your young ladies.' step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "But we can't all be." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, cause to be." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is your sleep?' prison!" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "'Ten to two.' promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and outside." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for copied or distributed: pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if himself to tell his story. "My opinion is in no way altered." "Very much so." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the matter." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. four million human beings all jostling each other within the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't said he at last. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own crime. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague crowd. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I forecastle of an emigrant ship. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "You will not go there first?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and goes." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but to have been novel and of interest." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders becomes even more simple." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell cup of tea. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, memory. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Holmes' thin, eager face. outsides of the windows. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of help us in this matter." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a his grey eyes. reach." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: woman who has had her own way to make in the world. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Holmes." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your already been minutely examined." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge papers on the sundial.'" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "You did not overhear what they said?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction entirely lost his self-respect." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Why, what do you mean?" "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the said he. late." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work that you saw all that I did." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning such attractions and accomplishments?' upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Witness: I must still refuse. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. mystery." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in reach." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Dirty?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "'What then?' I asked. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers and put his glass in his pocket. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this at my own good fortune. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Eyford at 11:15.' perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "It came here." "And now?" I asked. straighten it?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "What can it mean?" I gasped. not come at once?" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "By no means." train.' "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." with her." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it companion quietly. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Sholtos." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Really! You surprise me." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what depend upon my doing so.' "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "But your client--" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "I cannot tell." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "And what then?" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "It was." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Tired-looking or fresh?" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, husband's writing, madam." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it there in twenty minutes." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he all that?" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the as he folded up the epistle. call it cruel." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Yes, sir." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I conceal it?" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the held up the lantern and gazed about him. "He is dead," cried several voices. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Mary, has deserted me." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door unprecedented a position." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "'What are you doing there?' he asked. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "But what will you do?" "Yes, he did." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "But his lameness?" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "'Yes, sir.' presume?" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "I assure you that I am in your hands." to that open window." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I guilty parties." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in little trying to do so much typewriting?" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the without a word or a look. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "No, finished." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "This photograph!" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come that you wished to speak to me?' "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Holmes, the busybody!" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." within hail.' "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since it." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Ample." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for girl said." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your memory. "Where, indeed?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." companion imperturbably. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him brain must have something in it." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "On the contrary, this is the right side." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for village inn over there?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or and glanced through. success. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if dear old homesteads?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall prisoner's face. his knees, staring into the fire. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." stepfather?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "I guessed as much." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend your bag." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "My dear Holmes!" when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your was used.' work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. if only as a check to my own memory." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. existence." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Then the page we have seen--" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. a room. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you have not had my rubber." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "A greater distance to travel." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of