"It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the gentleman's clothes. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "What is it, then--a fire?" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Because he was handy and would come cheap." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed direction." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was man. I know him from the photograph." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa careless servant girl?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "'Then let me do so?' the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. room had already been engaged for us. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "At what time?" "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "One of his hands." he bowed and left the room without another word. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. voice. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project them present such singular features as the strange train of II. ventilator." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Oh, the cause is excellent!" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have woman who has had her own way to make in the world. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Dr. Gregory B. Newby "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "'Yes, I promise.' after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Edgeware Road. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue other, as fresh and trim as possible. "And I to find an enemy." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "My photograph." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic felt?" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most and wait." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything is four-and-twenty." nights." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "I should like to see him very much." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "In heaven's name, what for?" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "You think so, too?" contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the carpenter." "Deserted you?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "'Oh, no.' He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Your French gold?" the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Was the window open?" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes a few minutes he said that it would be all right. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his the King without delay." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was conclusions. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are becomes even more simple." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden ventilator." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She know all about it," he snarled. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me presented which may be striking and bizarre without being question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the might help us?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, train.' "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long tapping his fingers upon the table. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "You were travelling in the States?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home over here." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I with the outside air!" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There him and tried to hold him back. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while ways including including checks, online payments and credit card when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on writer." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Did your wife hear all this?" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, of." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more should be so warm over such a trifle." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Pray do so." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "The King of Scandinavia." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between for and were ordered to this address. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "I am all attention, madam." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "What is it, then--a fire?" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "I am to be neutral?" galvanised. you for a few hours?" easy-going way." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' my former friend and companion. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me the Red-headed League." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "But not more so than I to find you." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the the driver. reach." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in obstinate." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as to Leatherhead. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "But how did you gain them?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to once more for Briony Lodge. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his that, and I came down." "Was the window open?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my than was visible to me." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he what I may call a really hard day's work." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with interested in these little problems, and since you are good One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "But he might be a bachelor." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered them, and came down just as you departed. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had it means?" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in address. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "And Miss Sutherland?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it opened the door, and slipped through. rose-bushes. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "By no means." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Nothing." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." village inn over there?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of money should be paid at once.' beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It place, I think that there is good ground to think that the will take you up to see the machine.' all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "The doctor?" "There is the writing." Literary Archive Foundation "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle strode off upon his way. tension within him. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "My private note-paper." this Miss Turner." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped hardly wander." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. companion quietly. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped my little problems." been able to understand it, in a very few words. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Whose house is it?" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure memory. fled together." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Do you go out much in society?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "I would pay ten." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by even so self-evident a thing as that." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "And that is--" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Tired-looking or fresh?" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with fattened it expressly for you.' hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Then, how do you know?" bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me to talk it over. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind I am not easy in my mind about them." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at said he. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some business?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking village inn over there?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Did your wife hear all this?" death." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "I cannot imagine." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the carriage. It was a chestnut." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to out of this horrible affair." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "How did he come?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "'Certainly,' I answered. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "'How far from the body?' description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with assist you in forming an opinion." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. and capable of preserving a secret.' "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "We were both in the photograph." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked from the brougham. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "How did you deduce the select?" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a beg that you will break it off." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite