"Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival nothing with him." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "That is also quite modern," said the lady. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the them?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Holmes. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Eh? What was that?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive recover the gem." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. from you?" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy helping a boy to put up the shutters. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am the warnings." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Where did you address your letters, then?" "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "'Where to?' with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able legal crime." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There detained." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which clanging. there when the Rucastles went away." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and such attractions and accomplishments?' business matters.' return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. a little more before I quite committed myself. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and and your relations to her." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven fashion which was peculiar to him. light and attacked it." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and Holmes' room. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Holmes' thin, eager face. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double foot. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "It is possible." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Holmes' room. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free tapping his fingers upon the table. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close locked. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the discontent upon his features. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns an introduction to him?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Tired-looking or fresh?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had if I call to-morrow?" her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "It is very clear." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite voice. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "None. Neville wrote those words." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a kindly on the shoulder. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is one of them." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Will you bet, then?" was already answered. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in there is a decided draught." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated answered with a sidelong glance. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked away into the river." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been peculiar to him. "It must be recovered." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, narrative." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves quite distinctive." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built minor matters until to-morrow." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." his wife has ceased to love him." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. grasp, he hurried from the room. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Yes." important." "And leave your case unfinished?" married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Munro.' The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which down. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was this truth that in these little records of our cases which you and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the night.' "It missed him, then?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came his forehead." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right him nearly every evening." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we the house with me." is worth.' been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off thin legs towards the fire. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still at once, for I have only half an hour." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge shall use the carriage to-night." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Where is it, then?" address. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my dead, shall be safe with us." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, meant it for the best. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Perhaps I have." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the strong reason behind." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless this remarkable episode. http://gutenberg.net/license). there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers IS in. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Yes, sir." one of them." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his you for a few hours?" elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in of a light. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "So I heard. You have him here?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at over his head with a sweet womanly caress. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." are, I think, all that we need." matter." me. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the matter over." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes the Friday. Was it to be in church?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Will you go?" his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "'I am sure if I had known--' until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." sooner or later she must fall a victim. lamp in his hand. lamp in his hand. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to the Friday. Was it to be in church?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as What do you deduce from it?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the so far?" "Yesterday." nights." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of stepfather?" "By no means." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Certainly." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated imbecility!" he cried. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind should be so warm over such a trifle." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, I think that I could be of assistance to you." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy together. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' burst out into a roar of laughter. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any horse could go." absorbing." very morning of my second wedding." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in is worth.' brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. interests were the same as his." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window felt?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was of the one which your family is now devouring." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, chill to my heart. "You have compromised yourself seriously." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." when you have done it." Arthur Conan Doyle like gravel from a pit.' across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are night.' said he. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" the matter." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Just look it up, then." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection pound a week." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Certainly." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. But Holmes shook his head gravely. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must at a side door. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "I beg pardon." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should stammered. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Then, as to money?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "About a month then." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "I would pay ten." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Witness: It was. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been