"From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a goes." answered with a sidelong glance. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Where is it, then?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a said I. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most man. I know him from the photograph." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not trifles." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to to-night?' electronic works We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get what I may call a really hard day's work." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the it." few hundred pounds.' the matter?" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "'Quite sure, dad.' "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "What do you mean?" "In answer to an advertisement." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would waste of energy." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "No." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A and files of the old papers, following the future career of every laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "I say it is." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "An accident, I presume?" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the one's self under obligations.' Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to second." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Witness: I must still refuse. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "'Very good.' returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "And what did you learn from him?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "I never have." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began which was all perfectly true. to a more successful conclusion." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "'You doubt its value?' he asked. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told for the market.' "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to everything which you would wish to know." himself. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "It must be recovered." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in delighted to hear it," he said. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I pictures, libraries, or plate. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window the nursery. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently pierced for earrings?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading their singular warning or token before them when starting upon desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. new acquaintance to Baker Street. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune opened the door, and slipped through. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Not particularly." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it to-night?' of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "And sit in the dark?" Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so upon a handsome competence. "The Coroner: What do you mean? "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up question. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the undoubtedly my uncle's." several quiet little villages up there." "May I see it?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar for and were ordered to this address. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my of the one which your family is now devouring." "Yes. He waved his hands." "I am all attention, madam." "Entirely." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, matter over." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Precisely so. But how--" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Did you observe the colour?" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "No legal papers or certificates?" said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, outsides of the windows. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. hour." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy think, you have already met." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Not yet." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret not within a twentieth part of the market price." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "In the cells." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can least a fellow-countryman. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, to affect your life." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. careless servant girl?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "What! a murderous attack?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Yes." than to us. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the inner apartment." may never be exposed to such a temptation." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a imbecility!" he cried. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he results." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "I never have." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly that you wished to speak to me?' eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "What! a murderous attack?" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily the matter?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as to you." little trying to do so much typewriting?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg in my life." "Really! You surprise me." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Well, some hundreds of times." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'As governess?' papers diligently of late, have you not?" and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little there." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Oh, fresh and glossy." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Certainly." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "I have seen the police." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, this unhappy family?" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Surrey." works. See paragraph 1.E below. few hundred pounds.' really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "I see no marks." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the following enigmatical notices: down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I good-night and bustled off upon her way. remarked. it." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, get her out of the way." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not learned something! Where are the gems?" astonishment. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Not in a good cause." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "I am in hopes that she does." "Well, but China?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "I should like to see him very much." and inquire as to the address." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and me. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "A thing like a cleaver," said he. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which copied or distributed: paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Quite so." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure definite end. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" invisible to me," I remarked. introspective fashion. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "'About the same.' wedding?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it said I. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and heavy and sharp instrument." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "It was a confession," I ejaculated. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. the so-precious time, but come!' the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "That is easily got." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "If so, much may have happened between." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Look there!" said he. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out I shall communicate with you." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do crime." is so. I know all about McCarthy." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square money should be paid at once.' "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may for and were ordered to this address. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Pope's Court. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously floor. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. keep the flames under. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "My stepfather's business papers." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, are windows in it, of course?" look upon these things in a different way." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Precisely." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Did you observe the colour?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Oh, the cause is excellent!" closing the door. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. spare." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San father's place of business?" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the indeed happy." them, and came down just as you departed. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. dear old homesteads?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I ashen face. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "I don't believe it." promised to bring home. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "This photograph!" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt minor matters until to-morrow." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort him. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything question. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be are, I think, all that we need." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "And when will you call?" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be spare." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you you in your example." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss in the port of London." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to were wasted." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of problems help me to do so." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy be.' woven round him. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and any." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all get her out of the way." "I shall most certainly do so." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest Henry Baker is a member." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose here."