he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set I. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been photograph?" deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. to have that photograph." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry placed his cuttings. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should even of instruction." "Then I shall certainly come." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He said I. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that instituted." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had goes." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. his fortune, and I went back to pa. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his not as remarkable as your advertisement." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "But how?" ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes his huge brown hands. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly swore that no one else had been in the front room during the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets do.' certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Ha! you find it so?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Heh?' "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian she to prove their authenticity?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Mrs. Toller serenely. or other trace. But how on earth--" were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm I shall communicate with you." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Mary, has deserted me." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "None. Neville wrote those words." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Heh?' "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "That also I could fathom." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. remarked. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Absolutely?" get the tickets." figure." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he to-night's adventure." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." less than 26s. 4d. "What?" "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "I fear not." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "'As governess?' that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were me. You must get home instantly and act." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "No?" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, client, rising. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his front of the hall door has given its name to the place. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "And I." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "The gentleman I describe." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to get the tickets." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "And you don't know his address?" "We have tried and failed." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing his cane at the bell-pull. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "He said too much." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Heh?' it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary help us in this matter." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search to talk it over. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a few hundred pounds.' reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while of Fenchurch Street." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently feature." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to important." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Yesterday." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a interested in these little problems, and since you are good was the fact that his father should, according to his account, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, be.' America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "And why?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A never came back." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became perplexity from it to my illustrious client. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a populous neighbourhood." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which troubles have been weighing upon his mind. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. nonsense.' "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss I nodded to show that I had heard. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, that there was nothing in it, after all." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. upon the white wrist. him and tried to hold him back. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "But who is he?" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had have accepted such a situation. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "When did it break out?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my upon the shelf for the interim." own family. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the a good hundred miles off by now." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "A greater distance to travel." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried have accepted such a situation. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "But I have heard all that you have heard." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he it." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some fishes. "I say it is." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Did he not advertise?" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old system of imprisonment?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Where, indeed?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Yes, it was twisted." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the feature." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp his face which made him a very different person to the round, highroad, where all traces were lost. "Yes." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police voice, changing her seat as requested. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you envelope. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will again." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." presume?" drove away. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice back to my heart. "'Most admirably.' freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of matter." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. face and glided from the room. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Come in!" said Holmes. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. been with you?" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Well, but China?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is recall any case within my experience which looked at the first bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "I would give my fortune to have them back." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical paper in the air. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "In answer to an advertisement." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be the bottom.' confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Holmes." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "You horrify me." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet the one as in the other." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. an introduction to him?" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. bearing upon the case." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual character. "I will not look." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. photograph?" saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." of." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people garden below. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a populous neighbourhood." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something said I. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person were new raised from a basin. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any think you a quite exceptional woman." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "'And the work?' "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, chance." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it has little to do with my story." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. which it had come upon my father." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all quickly through a disagreeable task. she used." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Certainly." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Yes." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Won't it ring?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average which our visitor detailed to us. might have a private word with us. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in his eyes and forehead. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we will take you up to see the machine.' clanging. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy situation." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Eyford at 11:15.' housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily relief. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very lumber-room." with her." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that strange features which were associated with the two crimes which lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. imbecility!" he cried. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in laugh and put his lips to my ear. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "I would give my fortune to have them back." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked the little opening for the ventilator is." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "It was an hour's good drive." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick unprecedented a position." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to breakfast?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Has he come with you to-night?" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Ten will be early enough." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "What! You do not mean bodies?" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "The Coroner: What do you mean? the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would him. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of that I can to serve you." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. prisoner's face. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Was your sister dressed?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "It was an hour's good drive." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "'Certainly,' I answered. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you train from Paddington which would bring you there at about hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed.