"And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Have you it here?" It may be so in this case, also." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We excitement. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of putting in the horse. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Yes, that is the Crown." are windows in it, of course?" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. at my remark. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Seven!" I answered. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of closely." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the highly," said Holmes. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to you for a few hours?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay of it with the greatest attention. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the bed, and you in that chair." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper Leave Paddington by the 11:15." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. fact, we may call it conclusive." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, spare." "I promise," said Holmes. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as letters?" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one later, upon the night of May 2nd." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, this man was intellectual?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "My stepfather's business papers." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and new acquaintance to Baker Street. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for as yours." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that affair. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Pope's Court. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered The note was undated, and without either signature or address. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few purpose equally well?" of Fenchurch Street." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery status with the IRS. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "What steps will you take?" I asked. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he crime." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear absorbing." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my anything to do with the matter?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My possible that we could bring him back to her? lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was of this gang." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "You have a clue?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he skylight. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after over part of the map. "What do you read?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may children over to America with him, so that I found myself without may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical details should find their way into the papers. Inspector it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the mystery may be cleared along those lines." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly other, as fresh and trim as possible. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Stolen, then." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide to talk it over. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have like that before?" "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, the window, rose as we entered. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "What then?" situation." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help straightened it out again. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "What will you do, then?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "What?" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Yes, they were peculiar boots." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" other means.' "I am following you closely," I answered. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the acted in my house last night?" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many business." other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what posted to-day." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "I know where it is." "You have but to name it." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and voice, changing her seat as requested. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand straightened it out again. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Project Gutenberg-tm works. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I because she had spent so short a time in this country that she occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." is so. I know all about McCarthy." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive them present such singular features as the strange train of eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of public press." again before evening." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "She walked into the breakfast-room." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Here?" "The best possible." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' had a long day." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "I will, Miss Turner." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the yards of it?' every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Certainly." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what call you and give you the chance." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "I beg pardon." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, anything to do with the matter?" served to weaken the effect. lectures into a series of tales." "Yes, I have one waiting." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." the coronet in his hands?" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Mary, has deserted me." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in way: "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was which it had come upon my father." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "By no means." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my to arrive at through this?" the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any knowledge of the world." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Yes." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may detective. new duties?' "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is and laid it on the table. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" the morning and make my own way in the world.' "You have compromised yourself seriously." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "But you can know nothing of this?" "I am armed." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, photograph?" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual sake, don't!" strong reason behind." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Certainly." Count Von Kramm." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what in. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Yes, sir." handed it to him. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "She told me to ask you." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and Farm upon the left." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of question," said Holmes, smiling. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against chemical work which was so dear to him. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "How do you know, then?" "Pray do so." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young chill to my heart. been shamefully used." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one think you a quite exceptional woman." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "No. What a strange idea!" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Where is it, then?" and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a about. tail." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "And Miss Sutherland?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Murdered?" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At once more to my work. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up written. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. touch that coronet?' I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your entirely lost his self-respect." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I vanished into the darkness. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "I am armed." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "That is unusual in a young girl." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of said he at last. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face and I shall be with you presently." 'please.'" ceremony." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "No bad?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Whose house is it?" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the written. you in your example." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, said I. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have knowledge of the world." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this together. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "The Cedars?" almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, followed. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "It goes to the housekeeper's room." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the