have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must least a most suspicious remark." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the ceiling. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." could not have written that. It is the German who is so "If so, much may have happened between." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Then what has happened to him?" time." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, it with his own hands." me." "Where did he live, then?" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Your French gold?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a most important business. It is probable that he will be away all which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Was she in good spirits?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If she might be summoned. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "What have you done?" asked Holmes. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "And why in hopes?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She you." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his is acting for the best. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" the Red-headed League." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a said he. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Dark enough and sinister enough." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, seen the man in the road." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "And Miss Sutherland?" speckled band?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "'Never,' said I. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I from you?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me electronic works "No." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. and a shock of very red hair. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but I. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." my former friend and companion. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Yes." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "No." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few dates and names. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to upon an income of about 60 pounds." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the of this gang." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we with you alone." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in least a most suspicious remark." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "I am all attention, madam." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "About a month then." carpenter." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps disappearance of these gems?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of see a sister of mine apply for." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "It is very clear." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" tightly behind him. in the dead of the night?' garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. fluttered off among the others. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Eh? What was that?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "It looks newer than the other things?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, society." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Then the page we have seen--" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the compunction about shooting them down." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the night.' cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "What, then?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "And your mother is alive?" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "'Where could I find him?' your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "My own seal." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Never." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I together. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott had died away into the silence from which it rose. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and crime." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "'Stolen!' he cried. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "'How far from the body?' and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." The summons was a brief and urgent one. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Game for a morning drive?" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Holmes, the busybody!" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Arthur Conan Doyle foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Stolen." "I say that I have solved it." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim disturbance in my wife." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Dr. Becher's." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and or in danger--" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the away into the river." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some arrangements." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Yes, it was twisted." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is the little opening for the ventilator is." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. more solid." "Did your wife hear all this?" "So I have heard." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Thank you. Pray proceed." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "That is it on the dressing-table." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend have established a very serious case against the son of the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a never to learn it at all." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, child?' "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "'Where to?' "It is half-past ten now." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with respectable self." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the it with his own hands." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless never to learn it at all." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the might have a private word with us. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. said I. "By all means." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "You don't mind breaking the law?" "It was an hour's good drive." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the affair. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Entirely." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were strode off upon his way. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Very well, sir. And this stone?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this not fit the lock." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I seen the man in the road." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, the inner apartment." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming taking in every detail of the apartment. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided my special province." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. a monotonous occupation." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it lumber-room." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to will take you up to see the machine.' "They are typewritten," I remarked. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. and no precautions can guard against." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "And leave your case unfinished?" of it with the greatest attention. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Come in!" said Holmes. "You have a clue?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "'What, the red-headed man?' The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Pray let us have it, for all that." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "What of the rat, then?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her place of silver." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church highly," said Holmes. "But she will refuse." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of even so self-evident a thing as that." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Yes." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, the date of his supposed suicide." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "'Then let me do so?' "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from indeed which he could not unravel. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself it with his own hands." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. see a sister of mine apply for." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though a few minutes he said that it would be all right. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two chance at all." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw in the port of London." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are "If I can be of use." back into the street. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "How do you know, then?"