took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a and your relations to her." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across You want to know what became of those geese?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "And your mother is alive?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows business?" appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked call for it in person on Monday morning.' envelope. that I am arrested." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Have you it here?" sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my arrested. You then--" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the The King stared at him in amazement. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, companion quietly. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her coroner's jury." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of breakfast." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to the roots. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. coat-tails." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "'Never,' said I. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front least a fellow-countryman. standing smiling on the door-step. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that fattened it expressly for you.' man. I know him from the photograph." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had have had none more fantastic than this." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Yes." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in thirty. yet." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good writers could invent nothing more crude." "I cannot tell." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the it with his own hands." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to him nearly every evening." your equipment. appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "She will not sell." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time strong and stiff." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this it means?" became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Here?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the hard-headed British jury." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this burst out into a roar of laughter. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "She will not sell." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, must be when I saw the door open.' without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each present." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may followed. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very companion quietly. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Yes." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or not personally threatened." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "I see many objections to any such theory." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was that I may have something better before very many minutes are occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are himself to tell his story. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was next day. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Always." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he feature." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "An enemy?" The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Then I shall certainly come." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he golden eyeglasses. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in License. You must require such a user to return or "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your in his power. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we interest. They are important, you understand, without being "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Were they all fastened this morning?" evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came have I gained?" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been guilty one." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "'You cannot say what it was?' the ceiling. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time a little more before I quite committed myself. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. village inn over there?" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to over his head with a sweet womanly caress. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can from you?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call new duties?' stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I his cane at the bell-pull. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a you understand?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "To an English lawyer named Norton." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, up this clue while it is still hot." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to shaken than I had ever seen him. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "How did you deduce the select?" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the danger is over." "Did you observe the colour?" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, disappearance of these gems?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Then what has happened to him?" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "'Yes, sir.' we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might generous with you in money matters.' "'Yes, sir.' completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other me what he had done with the three missing stones. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what rat could hardly pass through." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "I cannot imagine." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. astonishment. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting intimate personal affairs in this public manner." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "'Yes, it was gone.' stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" go from here to the Strand." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative the iron safe, which he closed upon it. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch or in danger--" door?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by long narrative. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt if she died from some sudden fright." there when the Rucastles went away." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The less than 26s. 4d. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than hopeless attempt at recovering them." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, money should be paid at once.' low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it murdered man." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Yesterday." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "I will try. What is it?" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to together. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction spare." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic British peeress.'" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that The King stared at him in amazement. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and it." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. returning from some small jollification and was making his way Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a the devil!" bedroom door." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found cost them two and thirty pounds." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Pool. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "I am about to be married." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to was already answered. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my think that he is innocent?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault himself to tell his story. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Clair, of Lee." Countess of Morcar's?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Not in a good cause." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be to a more successful conclusion." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "'And what salary do you ask?' paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were indeed happy." "And the murderer?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of think that any burglar could have done. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had over part of the map. "What do you read?" "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." might help us?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Yes, certainly." again." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "'What, the red-headed man?' no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, address. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his question. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence threw himself down with his face to the pillow. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "'Never,' said I. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock lamp. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Is he quiet?" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "'Which dealer's?' "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of I am not easy in my mind about them." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then,"