left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "And how did you verify them?" appeared upon the scene." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. you, my dear young lady?' playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." and wait." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see weapon." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing way in everything. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Only as much as we can deduce." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage careless servant girl?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped appeal." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "I never have." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. like gravel from a pit.' it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the Watson," he said cordially. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her four million human beings all jostling each other within the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "But not more so than I to find you." and it need not interfere very much with one's other sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power followed. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, a little more before I quite committed myself. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his his face which made him a very different person to the round, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "I assure you that I am in your hands." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss hour?' young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' you for a few hours?" I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was business." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the to you." eat it." "That's no good." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was the running down." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "I am in hopes that she does." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Never to return." "About a month then." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took entirely devoid of interest." "I assure you that I am in your hands." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project of the way of danger. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat away to you." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! weapon." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "None. Neville wrote those words." make me his representative both with the servants and with the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; interested in these little problems, and since you are good save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the nonsense.' followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical discontent upon his features. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, you in yours." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his fish-monger and a tide-waiter." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." any." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project promised to bring home. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the success. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Then he might have called to you?" lectures into a series of tales." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "By all means." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. fait accompli?" "How are you getting on?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over have I gained?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Here?" During two years I have had three consultations and one small cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" the inner apartment." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Certainly." humiliation." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. astonishment. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Not him." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "I will try. What is it?" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival sound at heart." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the companion imperturbably. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "No, distinctly professional." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact begun to whiten, even as mine has." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "I should be immensely obliged to you." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Why, what do you mean?" that you can jump it.' A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, retorted upon me, and I on you." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. into the room. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. It may be so in this case, also." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the together. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which I leave." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the of the way of danger. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay to a more successful conclusion." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with highroad, where all traces were lost. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "Then, as to money?" father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" have an American origin." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Perfectly so." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to was shining brightly. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Why did you pick him?" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him stood on the top of it. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before criminal. We have already had experience of such." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Never." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover might help us?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to it were putty." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Not I." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "To the police?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the chair. in. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was I have it here in my museum." said I. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "And Irene Adler?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than done what I asked you, Jones?" she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something you came in." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless characteristics, but those are the more obvious." at my own good fortune. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "No." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two room. the best of training." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Yes, it would be as well." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "'Entirely.' the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her away in different directions, and I went off to make my own or in danger--" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I and prosperity to your house. Good-night." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the to his chemical studies. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Not in a good cause." room?" "She told me to ask you." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. at once, for I have only half an hour." people don't know." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his some city in a dream. about. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My several quiet little villages up there." Pool. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an least a fellow-countryman. you." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So again on its way. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was might help us?" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, tail." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know simple cases which are so extremely difficult." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "You'll never persuade me to believe that." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "On the contrary, this is the right side." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, approach us with offers to donate. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate stood on the top of it. "That is not always so easy." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried outsides of the windows. "Then, how do you know?" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the late!' vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four begun to whiten, even as mine has." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to Stoke Moran." in one or two places in England?' it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "And now?" I asked. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing