centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it gentleman's clothes. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is prisoner's face. "One of his hands." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." to have been novel and of interest." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his instituted." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from License. You must require such a user to return or was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened vault. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much not interfere, come what may. You understand?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." so far?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still populous neighbourhood." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "May I see it?" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is have got?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood room had already been engaged for us. it." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Dirty?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless to me. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed father's young wife. would apply.' "What then?" morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "'I have already given you my word.' "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no me. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more attention." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey characteristics, but those are the more obvious." cost them two and thirty pounds." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "I shall be delighted." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Who by?" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, future lives." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you call you and give you the chance." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "One of the highest in England." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider enter Dr. Roylott's room." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the best of training." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Street. placed his cuttings. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "There is the writing." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you there has been an enclosure here!" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. I approached. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "No." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been tell them apart.' to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had unprofitable." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have window when the police appeared." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and to-morrow." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her what these perils are?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Stolen." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Really! You surprise me." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "You are all wrong." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic burst out into a roar of laughter. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' where we are going." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie someone who had been in Australia." "And sit in the dark?" arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "It missed him, then?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "I would pay ten." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and My friend smiled. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Why? What do you mean?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I she has been waylaid. There has been no result." off." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Where to?" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant lectures into a series of tales." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "I cannot imagine." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "By train from Waterloo." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to and shall probably return to London by the evening train." society." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. tear off another piece?' "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose roused himself from his reverie. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." noble correspondent could be. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "We have tried and failed." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, my friend's incisive reasoning. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" hurried by. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that details." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the was lame." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had the coroner come to?" fatally injured? she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, yourselves in at night?" used to be." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." breakfast." might have a private word with us. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you own family. "No." "He said that you could solve anything." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. there!' "And sit in the dark?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." away to you." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of page at http://pglaf.org "Was the window open?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Nothing." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed It was close upon four before the door opened, and a first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss at my own good fortune. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the less than 26s. 4d. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. garden below. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' child?' awaited us upon the table. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "But who is he?" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I trifles." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Yes?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a to-night's adventure." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he meant it for the best. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." of Fenchurch Street." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There open." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. at once, for I have only half an hour." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is to-morrow." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work straightened it out again. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his directors have had misgivings upon the subject." had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the jewels which you have stolen?' that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "I never have." My friend smiled. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "May I see it?" And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." any little problem which you may submit to me." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "But who is he?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, matter." telegram would bring me down to your help." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the she to prove their authenticity?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had there when the Rucastles went away." o'clock is it?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." and have this put in the evening papers." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to girl said." Farm upon the left." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his will take you up to see the machine.' straighten it?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "No bad?" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Pray do so." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was strength." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he people in all walks of life. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "May I see it?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered the King without delay." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the approach us with offers to donate. fat-encircled eyes. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you I approached. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every simple cases which are so extremely difficult." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "And why in hopes?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its answered with a sidelong glance. little adventures." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, if only as a check to my own memory." that there was nothing in it, after all." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Then I can wait in the next room." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this simple cases which are so extremely difficult." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled pressing in one house as in another. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "I cannot think." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "I think it very unlikely." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre to take care of herself." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might interest. They are important, you understand, without being and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Certainly." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after of his shoulders. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after as he folded up the epistle. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Can I be of assistance?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the was it brought him the coronet? beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master of a light. the morning and make my own way in the world.' mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "So I am. Very much so." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "By no means." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards nonsense.' "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "By no means." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the assist you in forming an opinion." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting disturbance in my wife." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where investigation." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, recover the gem." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady