But Holmes shook his head gravely. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Why, what do you mean?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off like gravel from a pit.' There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may Heh?' greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the long narrative. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham few hundred pounds.' same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I lamp. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Perfectly so." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient be.' performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my things are very often connected not with the larger but with the horse could go." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Then how many are there?" however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "They are typewritten," I remarked. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, are, I think, all that we need." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and upon an income of about 60 pounds." be sorry for having acted so harshly." "I have my revolver," said I. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had morning." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most certainly not very gracious." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Won't it ring?" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "I should wish to." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me photograph?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase writers could invent nothing more crude." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "You are all wrong." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon your most interesting statement." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good with her." allusion to a rat. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were this remarkable episode. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I and it need not interfere very much with one's other opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your for securing the situation." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a skylight. "Of what day?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the your bag." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly *** START: FULL LICENSE *** likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "But not more so than I to find you." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our had picked up in the wood. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the directors, with the result that you have seen." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was there." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. himself to tell his story. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging started for the Temple to see my husband. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the you." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover here and I will read it to you: reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of because she had spent so short a time in this country that she you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an as this. Pray let me have the details." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "How are you getting on?" my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Never to return." in his power. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that such attractions and accomplishments?' villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and invisible to me," I remarked. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "And from a noble client?" Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did garden below. strength of mind to control. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Certainly." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "No." Holmes' room. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously had a long day." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I that you can jump it.' the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and room?" "Where, then, is my wife?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the face and glided from the room. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could persecution?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Yes." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great me where it went to?" during which he might have communicated with his friend the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by towards the blaze. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" nights." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than everything which you would wish to know." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the public press." crime. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. arrangements." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Was she in good spirits?" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "I say that I have solved it." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Bought." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so is," said he presently: "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and rose-bushes. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue becomes even more simple." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My weighed down with some great anxiety. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "No. His orders were to stay in the house." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, his eyes and forehead. You want to know what became of those geese?" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "At what time?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. unclasping of his long thin hands. that he will be back before evening." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "I will not look." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose than was visible to me." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "How about poison?" "There is the writing." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, that, and I came down." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom round and wave him away like that.' the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! meant." "But not more so than I to find you." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the him. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the narrative." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Yes, the wine-cellar." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know brain must have something in it." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. money should be paid at once.' way in." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Will you go?" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin my friend's incisive reasoning. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "So I heard. You have him here?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the side. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though occupations.' were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily nonsense.' the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "I have a cab outside." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "VIOLET HUNTER." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." fattened it expressly for you.' gives a meaning to it." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Stoke Moran." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "What can it mean?" I gasped. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Yes." was a lad." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Pool. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced to change my dress. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to a good hundred miles off by now." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he residence of the great financier. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" bonnet, and went out." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence points in connection with it which never have been, and probably records." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence arrested. You then--" "My dear Holmes!" in darkness. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, call the police, let the police find what they can.' prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was during the last few years, and there are many noble families to green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There allusion to a rat. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. License. You must require such a user to return or was not a bird to be seen there. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the better grown goose." once more. retorted upon me, and I on you." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our cup of tea. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Watson," he said cordially. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, is worth.' Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as