which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no these bleak autumnal evenings." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner round and wave him away like that.' The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My and the colonel ushered me in. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into lectures into a series of tales." "'I have already given you my word.' to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Whose house is it?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Pray continue your narrative." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must quick march!" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless noble correspondent could be. "I will do it." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked unprecedented a position." appeared upon the scene." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between and effective." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and a few minutes he said that it would be all right. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me entirely lost his self-respect." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "No." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Yesterday." delighted to hear it," he said. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that burst into a hearty fit of laughter. the house with me." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want I am not easy in my mind about them." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "But what harm can there be in that?" "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white have accepted such a situation. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my the bottom.' though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking entirely devoid of interest." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "No." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "My dear Holmes!" "By all means." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by best detective that ever lived. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm sound at heart." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "And who is her maid?" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small on in his house." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done danger is over." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "How often?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now shoulder; "he's all right." chemical work which was so dear to him. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and geese which you supplied to the Alpha." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, second." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the beyond words. "Absolutely none." mysterious end." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "What! Had he lost his wife?" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I forecastle of an emigrant ship. not, dad?" she asked. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but shoulder; "he's all right." the morning and make my own way in the world.' ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Not social, then?" certainly not very gracious." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Holmes, the busybody!" metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated question," said Holmes, smiling. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study kind enough to tell me what I should do." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out her also." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the jewels which you have stolen?' Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "How do you know, then?" "Then I can wait in the next room." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and locked." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a invisible to me," I remarked. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "He said that you could solve anything." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Pray do so." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old the window, rose as we entered. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "'Yes, sir.' of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum good for you to do.' "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not matter over." do.' He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his you." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "To ruin me." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian noise which awoke you from your sleep?" forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding laugh and put his lips to my ear. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and written, and locked the door of the office after me. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "It may not come to that," said Holmes. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two not within a twentieth part of the market price." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you my special province." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Why? What do you mean?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally have had none more fantastic than this." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "And who is her maid?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "But your client--" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of the tragedy. "I have my revolver," said I. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is business came to an end." "You horrify me!" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" his cane at the bell-pull. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "But what is it you wish?" have established a very serious case against the son of the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough for its centre. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "No." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could imbecility!" he cried. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "'What, the red-headed man?' be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "To an end?" is," said he presently: pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked little adventures." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "I do." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so relation between them, and what the object of his repeated pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Not him." just ask you whether you had heard it.' lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had sooner or later she must fall a victim. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his quite distinctive." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? posted to-day." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon upon the shelf for the interim." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Yes, I have one waiting." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I her also." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I place no limit on the sum I may draw." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Pray be precise as to details," said he. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied is a common subject for conversation. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the interested in these little problems, and since you are good "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Does that suggest anything?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. a suggestive one." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and the King without delay." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net hereditary King of Bohemia." The King stared at him in amazement. business?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a and that he would see to anything that turned up. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an DISSOLVED. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting photograph?" "Eh? What was that?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the opportunities to fix the problem. Again Holmes raved in the air. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do dead, shall be safe with us." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Project Gutenberg-tm works. to me. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "What then?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "'I have already given you my word.' "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet Chief Executive and Director "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your disappearance of the bride.'" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears works. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Holmes' room. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning is a common subject for conversation. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it least a most suspicious remark." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, stalked out of the room. "Will you go?" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Your French gold?" "Your presence might be invaluable." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. thin legs towards the fire. "That is possible." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small a little more before I quite committed myself. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I