sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. sofa. This way, please!" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Do you go out much in society?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has business." "It is possible." to change my dress. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "That also I could fathom." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "And how?" me where it went to?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to shaken than I had ever seen him. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a the Red-headed League." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. the loss of it. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have II. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If province." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Quite so." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain companion. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then The events in question occurred in the early days of my dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as that Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the mystery may be cleared along those lines." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend hopeless attempt at recovering them." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, unprecedented a position." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "That you are never beaten." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My what do you think they found in the pockets?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the congenial hunt. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary some terrible trap for her." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. think, you have already met." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Eyford at 11:15.' arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our know all about it," he snarled. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is fluttered off among the others. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this eat it." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned him. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so stepfather?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Certainly." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a in darkness. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of the very letters. But what is this written above them?' it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the presume?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered said he. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Have you her photograph?" same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "I answered that I had not. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, it." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "I cannot tell." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Does that suggest anything?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "You have compromised yourself seriously." "That is easily got." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "To an English lawyer named Norton." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "I see no marks." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until to take care of herself." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "It surprised me." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must on in his house." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until thin legs towards the fire. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two opened the door, and slipped through. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Pope's Court. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back public press." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "It is true that I have been generally successful." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "I cannot say that I have." was a lad." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Where does the thing come from?' this poor creature." were new raised from a basin. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Literary Archive Foundation door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and retorted upon me, and I on you." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting trying to your nerves." affection." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life affection." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At hard-headed British jury." some terrible trap for her." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a it." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "I shall most certainly do so." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "No, finished." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand and capable of preserving a secret.' home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor went to the Alpha were town bred." carpenter." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Because he was handy and would come cheap." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with strange features which were associated with the two crimes which I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Yes. He waved his hands." kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very been anything against him. He had for years been known as a over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went once more to my work. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "No." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into done what I asked you, Jones?" I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for not interfere, come what may. You understand?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was DISSOLVED. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "I saw her in conversation with her maid." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "It must be recovered." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "It was." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are rooms." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the and no precautions can guard against." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before sentimental considerations in the background which would induce The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "At half-wages, in fact." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at at my own good fortune. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such which it had come upon my father." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the became a certainty. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that meant." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "And you can do nothing until then?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. out." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a that I am arrested." "In which, sir?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by 'I should be able to look after that for you.' me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by telegram would bring me down to your help." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still never will be, entirely cleared up. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "'Why that?' I asks. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." eat it." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and their singular warning or token before them when starting upon violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems thought that she would have been so carried away." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "That was it, sir." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Yes, sir." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "The gentleman I describe." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "I shall most certainly do so." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over which was all perfectly true. was lame." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Yes, it was twisted." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide have I gained?" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Did he not advertise?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in any more." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Eyford." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "'Ample.' which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an might have a private word with us. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." experiences." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my