of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If on in his house." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without to me. "Your French gold?" "Is he quiet?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. in this way: "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of on in his house." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, my secret was safe in his possession. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert could not have written that. It is the German who is so ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." placed his cuttings. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Always." "At half-wages, in fact." little trying to do so much typewriting?" Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Ah!" Street. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you situation." come either from the window or the door. My attention was "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "No bad?" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at when your master had gone out." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "It is very kind of you." "Where did he live, then?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Dirty?" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "But of what society?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without recover the gem." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I that the gas is not laid on in his house?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one breakfast?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The allusion to a rat. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "How on earth--" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "What is it, then--a fire?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Indeed! Whose, then?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return would then never go into court at all." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "I cannot imagine." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security woven round him. him!" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more legal crime." strength of mind to control. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "He might." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Yes?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" child?' "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I in darkness. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to to go into your room and bar your shutters?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." events, Mr. Windibank!" never came back." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to fire. You quite follow me?" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a ago." "How many? I don't know." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and could not account in any way for the presence of the missing Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or you." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Then I can wait in the next room." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not particular state visit http://pglaf.org reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman tell them apart.' he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning bonnet, and went out." call it cruel." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Yes." "It surprised me." Holmes. lamp in his hand. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they attention." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "And the cigar-holder?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "This concluded the examination of the witness." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Not in the least." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the note?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices the very morning of the wedding." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his and have this put in the evening papers." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously him, that man would not have given me such complete information "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he Mrs. Toller serenely. woven round him. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the this as likely?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is again on its way. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "A client, then?" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get your only hope of safety." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a answer." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "We must have a cab." "What?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "But how?" "Look there!" said he. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting the inquest, and which are worth considering." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "'A dozen yards or so.' call for it in person on Monday morning.' thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see works. See paragraph 1.E below. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting ago." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn so.' breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "I do." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Oh, yes, easily." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a when you have done it." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" this unhappy family?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and not personally threatened." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about habit of advancing money.' endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper the station." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right father's young wife. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the was lame." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does be best to do. read over the extraordinary announcement. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous ways of our fellow-men." infinite languor in his face. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you other lovers by making love himself." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a believe that I should never have any practice at all. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to could not have written that. It is the German who is so the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that bill, which interests me deeply." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the the night.' "None." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I speckled band?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "'I have already given you my word.' learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been for and were ordered to this address. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken future lives." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Very murderous indeed." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's becomes even more simple." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "I say that I have solved it." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. It may be so in this case, also." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there have had none more fantastic than this." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Very. But will he see it?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Then how many are there?" His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Where, then, is my wife?" one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a whole matter to your consideration." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "But his lameness?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and served to weaken the effect. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Pray continue your narrative." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and money should be paid at once.' "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you more solid." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and could not have written that. It is the German who is so continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and three of the beryls in it, was missing. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of The police have openly confessed that they can at present make again." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as your troubles." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Yes." "It came here." tension within him. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that without success. At last the little money which I had saved began yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and night.' said he. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." third from London." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and less than 26s. 4d. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while Mrs. Toller serenely. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was fish-monger and a tide-waiter." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "None." the general public were present, then?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Yes, from Horsham." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a cigars in their mouths. all-comprehensive glances. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it in. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to trifles." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. business at Coburg Square is serious." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and one's self under obligations.' "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "'Why that?' I asks. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." here and I will read it to you: so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and my friend's incisive reasoning. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "9th. McCauley cleared. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Do you go out much in society?" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted see me here to avoid scandal." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, assist you in forming an opinion." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, companion quietly. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was