James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. newspaper selections." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "I see no marks." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third discontent upon his features. I approached. pressing in one house as in another. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Pope's Court. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I advice." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. take the flies, but not before." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking bearing upon the case." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. observed. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. furiously. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'Most admirably.' description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, him to be an active member of the medical profession." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a developed." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that the south-west, I see." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "'What then?' I asked. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the very letters. But what is this written above them?' Dr. Gregory B. Newby the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third deduce something from that?" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and certainly do as you advise." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the this remarkable episode. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the beg that you will break it off." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt coat-tails." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative silent! Oh, he will be silent!' from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a charge against him will break down." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in bachelor.' of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email back into the street. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all was used.' or other trace. But how on earth--" I am not easy in my mind about them." bedroom door." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, to surprise her." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then against a man in the prime of life?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into papers diligently of late, have you not?" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring your sleep?' with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales ceremony." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "I cannot imagine." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we indiscretion." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Will you go?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "And I." business?" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread be there in time for your coming." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms not use it unless it is absolutely needed." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Cross for the Continent." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "'Which dealer's?' de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "From his hat?" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which villagers almost as much as their master. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, this Miss Turner." exactly what you advise." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord Holmes' room. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "What shall I do?" grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "What steps will you take?" I asked. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "How do you know, then?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you crackling voice. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "The gentleman I describe." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should during the last few years, and there are many noble families to say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few that he will be back before evening." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the to-morrow." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. you came in." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. this remarkable episode. the tragedy. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was is a common subject for conversation. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that II. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was against a man in the prime of life?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Mrs. Toller serenely. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, are, and they are waiting for us." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were with her." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Nothing." "Always." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "No?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one know that the truth is known." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Did you observe the colour?" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Then, as to money?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his him to go away.' "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the business at Coburg Square is serious." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "And your mother is alive?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, the one as in the other." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the man. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "And how?" coroner's jury." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "You don't mind breaking the law?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Not yet." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Pray do so." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other his eyes and forehead. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one forbidden door. head. So long, then!" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few your most interesting statement." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and think, you have already met." crowd. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Again Holmes raved in the air. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and this remarkable episode. wall." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to have one." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." where we are going." gigantic client. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "When did she vanish, then?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's his forehead." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Where, then, is my wife?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had them present such singular features as the strange train of "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and of his shoulders. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will said Mr. Holder. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "No. What a strange idea!" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. McCarthy's innocence. "What steps will you take?" I asked. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had chambers. him nearly every evening." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would them?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and to take care of herself." used to be." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, crowd. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian despair." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you bedroom door." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "No." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Was your sister dressed?" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Ample." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other criminal. We have already had experience of such." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. own family. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Always." very morning of my second wedding." wall." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able train.' The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him opened the door, and slipped through. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in *** START: FULL LICENSE *** It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of this as likely?" something of him before." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Does that suggest anything?" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary bears upon the case?" interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Holmes' thin, eager face. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Yes, sir." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "My own seal." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "'Yes, it was gone.' and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "At the wedding breakfast." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up felt the room to be a little close.' Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across conduct the inquiry." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "At half-wages, in fact." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, more solid." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the vault. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a DAMAGE. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "I have come for advice." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there be best to do. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the your troubles." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will