refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, His name is Francis Prosper." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "'Yes, it was gone.' opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." me where it went to?" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "To an English lawyer named Norton." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his searched, without anything being found which could incriminate success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Bought." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. outsides of the windows. at my remark. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Bought." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop begin with, and I had not got mine yet." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "In heaven's name, what for?" the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "I should like to see him very much." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." footfalls from the street. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet me upon any point which I do not make clear." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of ill-usage at the hands of fortune. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of cigars in their mouths. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. this unhappy family?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no soul! here is her carriage at the door." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "'Yes.' see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Not him." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at me upon any point which I do not make clear." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "And how have you succeeded?" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "The murder was done with it." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "'Is 4 pounds a week.' of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few started for the Temple to see my husband. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant as this. Pray let me have the details." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came miles off. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "And what then?" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Where, indeed?" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My tied." where we are going." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: strength of mind to control. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "And on what day did he meet his death?" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. is a common subject for conversation. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "In which, sir?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner works. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. tell me that you intended to go into harness." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, of a light. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, telegram would bring me down to your help." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Upon what point?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the do you make of it all?" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the What do you deduce from it?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "About a month then." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Arthur Conan Doyle "But how could you guess what the motive was?" your own bird, so if you wish--" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and not come at once?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a security.' Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version question," said Holmes, smiling. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Then how many are there?" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in the little opening for the ventilator is." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I done what I asked you, Jones?" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Stoke Moran." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of frequently gained my first real insight into the character of sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying where Mr. Fordham shows you.' conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her mysterious end." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to daring than any effort of the imagination." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I this as likely?" character. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire wanted for ourselves." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it a few minutes he said that it would be all right. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been side. "How did he come?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began I shall communicate with you." to some other building. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round God! What an exposure! What can I do?" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this the south-west, I see." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "'You cannot say what it was?' at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and enter Dr. Roylott's room." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the and I shall be with you presently." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Sholtos." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss were wasted." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "On Monday." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I should like to see him very much." "None. Neville wrote those words." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Yes, sir." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Not yet." to some other building. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, said he at last. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her hands. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such held up the lantern and gazed about him. morning." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can grasp, he hurried from the room. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "What!" he roared. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that matter." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "I beg pardon." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. him. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all to talk it over. four million human beings all jostling each other within the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and out of this horrible affair." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his from you?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "'There is a drive, then?' me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of fled together." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking address. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "By no means." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of flock.' "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the may never be exposed to such a temptation." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. his cane at the bell-pull. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Very truly yours, straightened it out again. and the colonel ushered me in. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "I will try. What is it?" how narrow had been my escape. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. London for the present?" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was October 9, 1890. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. important." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before which are rolled in Rotterdam." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders and effective." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had to-night." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "What! a murderous attack?" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he remarked. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, seven miles from Eyford Station.' "I am all attention, madam." affection." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present lamp. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has breakfast and whispered something to her husband. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed but preventing her from injuring another. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "I will get her to show me." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers more solid." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to but preventing her from injuring another. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed at my remark. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance more solid." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer good for you to do.' of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles of his shoulders. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just shoulder. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door http://gutenberg.net/license). Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped of them has the shutters up.' "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. his face which made him a very different person to the round, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman of fine shops and stately business premises that they really shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no emerged. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "This photograph!" sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between populous neighbourhood." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" husband's writing, madam." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. outsides of the windows. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has