him!" follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that me where it went to?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in round with crates and massive boxes. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." bled considerably." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "I never have." congratulate you again." over part of the map. "What do you read?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of past. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you this poor creature." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "It came here." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. as noiselessly as she had come. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "And how did you verify them?" "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and fashion which was peculiar to him. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It more solid." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is three fields round his house, and there he would take his I approached. "She walked into the breakfast-room." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Absolutely?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "If I can be of use." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "You will not go there first?" own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be was not a bird to be seen there. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." I. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of is a common subject for conversation. companion. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in own family. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. again on its way. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "What will you say?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's horse could go." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the I was concerned in it." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother but preventing her from injuring another. to talk it over. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we works. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of lids now and glanced across at his visitor. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been place of silver." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Holmes, the busybody!" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible redistribution. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who to a light-house. to change my dress. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Do you know him?" open." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Ha! you find it so?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are were new raised from a basin. read it out to me." "But you have hopes?" I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her already referred to. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and this man was intellectual?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "I should like to see him very much." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have mystery!" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best his face which made him a very different person to the round, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the opportunities to fix the problem. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as any little problem which you may submit to me." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in disappearance of these gems?" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Where, then, is my wife?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn make me his representative both with the servants and with the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "No sign of it?" "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." other means.' joking. "Yes." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a national property. I was determined that the law should have its overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Ah, but I was recommended to you." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our the coronet in his hand?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! cheerful." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, drove away. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her crowd. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." his face which made him a very different person to the round, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your had this final quarrel? over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that stood on the top of it. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the posted to-day." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive arms and began to sob in a high treble key. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "You did not overhear what they said?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest help us in this matter." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "'Yes, I promise.' active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "There are none." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to my special province." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to his wife has ceased to love him." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the his grey eyes. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the him nearly every evening." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are is worth.' Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A careless servant girl?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "To an end?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me been with you?" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Yes." it." outbreak?" contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "But to whom?" "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. matter over." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "In answer to an advertisement." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my opened a pocket-book and took out a note. unkempt, staring out at me. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Not in the least." danger is over." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of never will be, entirely cleared up. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet later, upon the night of May 2nd." affair. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Nothing?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. The King stared at him in amazement. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Never." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! already referred to. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as here." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Holmes rather sternly. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "And what then?" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us maid will bring up your coffee." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But bird of prey. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled writer." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the straightened it out again. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a very morning of my second wedding." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent up this clue while it is still hot." prisoner's face. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "And what did you see?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Is he quiet?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for in a friendly supper." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and writer." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has following enigmatical notices: intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Miss Holder?" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this formed some opinion?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. your room." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Upon what point?" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should there were one or two details which were new to me. But the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of manager. go back?" "Yes." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Nothing?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "How on earth--" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian a very grave face. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat do you make of it all?" age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." must be when I saw the door open.' "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Yes. He waved his hands." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking again on its way. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the again on its way. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right look upon these things in a different way." made his money." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Yes, certainly." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always her also." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," horse could go."