"Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "In which, sir?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Then I shall certainly come." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "My photograph." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." quite distinctive." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots leaning back in his chair. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "My private note-paper." exactly what you advise." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the have an American origin." "Ample." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "But he might be a bachelor." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name and the church but not where the lady lived." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "He slept on the premises." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Pray do so." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "But how?" Heh?' of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the the dangers which encompass me." "What! Had he lost his wife?" the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." detective. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the them?" "How are you getting on?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "But he might be a bachelor." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "You have it, sir, just as it happened." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the night.' X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "One of the highest in England." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said daring than any effort of the imagination." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. think you a quite exceptional woman." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there cost them two and thirty pounds." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry could not account in any way for the presence of the missing of the vacancies.' these bleak autumnal evenings." bachelor.' "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some me." works. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Look there!" said he. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Where to?" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very events, Mr. Windibank!" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes to take care of herself." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." entirely devoid of interest." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell there were one or two details which were new to me. But the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "That is not always so easy." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "I beg pardon." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "'In my own bureau.' data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Quite so." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought call the police, let the police find what they can.' given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here now. It seems that there had been some informality about their hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "It must be recovered." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning have had none more fantastic than this." that threaten you." purpose of examination. papers on the sundial.'" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional never to learn it at all." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or excitement. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite acquaintance?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Really! You surprise me." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Always." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself recall any case within my experience which looked at the first his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Here?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "How on earth--" "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could if I call to-morrow?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at do.' though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which to change my dress. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the I approached. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "On Monday." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out and have this put in the evening papers." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "It is solved." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to will he say when he returns?" this man was intellectual?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "And how in the world did you find them?" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point to tell." McCarthy's innocence. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are believe that I should never have any practice at all. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and she used." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful remarked. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Well." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a at my own good fortune. some water from a caraffe. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with acted in my house last night?" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Whose house is it?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort examine." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and village inn over there?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my main points of my analysis." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were his forehead." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he open." "I cannot imagine." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "'There is a drive, then?' fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that in one or two places in England?' was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major sofa. This way, please!" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I pity, because in other respects you would really have done very bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Stoke Moran." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle digesting their breakfasts at home." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United and I shall be with you presently." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to through." own family. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "To an English lawyer named Norton." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. people don't know." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He wife's character?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Then I am your man." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the vanished into the darkness. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the strength." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock in. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step door?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Nothing." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her fear." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a it." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "It is to him that this trophy belongs." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." developed." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Witness: I must still refuse. went to the Alpha were town bred." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Perhaps we may make them less so." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "You have but to name it." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, and prosperity to your house. Good-night." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there tail." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." ashen face. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed any more." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after cigars in the box." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. hurried away. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a of the way of danger. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "You have compromised yourself seriously." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would during that time.' chill to my heart. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your McCarthy's innocence. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Holmes' room. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and to his chemical studies. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" was a perfect sample of the class. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that carried out of court." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." tear off another piece?' "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Eh? What was that?" "No more words. Get out!" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few me what he had done with the three missing stones. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia room had already been engaged for us. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned tear off another piece?' Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes It was close upon four before the door opened, and a which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "'Yes, it was gone.' "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "It is to him that this trophy belongs." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these train.' one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads room had already been engaged for us. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?'