it means?" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away mystery." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "'Yes, it was gone.' "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you that threaten you." Holmes' face clouded over. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Nothing." "Yes." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of spare." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Yes." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Where did you address your letters, then?" "And now?" I asked. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need just ask you whether you had heard it.' photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" she to prove their authenticity?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my ordinary clothes on?" had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "She told me to ask you." "'I have heard so.' combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and one's self under obligations.' triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did developed." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. of receipt of the work. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to mystery!" kindly on the shoulder. towards the blaze. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "I answered that I had not. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad the loss of it. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "But how could you guess what the motive was?" train.' doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands be.' me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be where she found matters as described by the last witness. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "In heaven's name, what for?" "Who was the criminal, then?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his whereabouts. "Why, what do you mean?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat foot. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the several quiet little villages up there." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "But you were on a friendly footing?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for colonel looking down at me. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was October 9, 1890. "'Ten to two.' "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor fashion which was peculiar to him. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last than to us. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at him and tried to hold him back. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "And that is--" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "That is not always so easy." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Not in the least." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But I was concerned in it." definite end. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of father's young wife. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to to go into your room and bar your shutters?" sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "So I have heard." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the wedding?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. rooms." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "None. Neville wrote those words." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "But how?" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. unprecedented a position." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Why? What do you mean?" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "You don't mind breaking the law?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the already referred to. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Texas, I think." "No." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out bears upon the case?" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. open." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Mrs. Toller serenely. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows stalked out of the room. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. hour?' jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, delirious. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell it. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many astonishment. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to dead, shall be safe with us." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster the salesman. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue the coronet in his hand?" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous how narrow had been my escape. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "But not more so than I to find you." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the hour?' from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and My friend smiled. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The It may be so in this case, also." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Then, as to money?" Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "And how did you find out?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed hour?' was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I head. So long, then!" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me she might be summoned. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very other, as fresh and trim as possible. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY made him keep the appointment." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "My Mary? Impossible!" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "I think that it is very probable." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Thank you. And your address?" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and conduct the inquiry." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Just look it up, then." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the I leave." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "But the mystery?" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "It is very kind of you." "'I shall certainly be there.' think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As promised to bring home. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "You horrify me." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled cost them two and thirty pounds." "My dear Holmes!" aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather out of this horrible affair." Leadenhall Street--and--" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had like that before?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a opened a pocket-book and took out a note. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in humiliation." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man at a side door. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my I have it here in my museum." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "I say that I have solved it." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' letters?" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Look there!" said he. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to residence of the great financier. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "How about poison?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from three fields round his house, and there he would take his However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a presented more singular features than that which was associated "Really! You surprise me." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too developed." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I crime. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. until night should bring an explanation. light and attacked it." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much suddenly upon us." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I towards the blaze. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the peculiar to him. written. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I late!' sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. his grey eyes. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is the devil!" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" foresight and the moral retrogression?" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker be there in time for your coming." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Never to return." people in all walks of life. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "In heaven's name, what for?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this and capable of preserving a secret.' "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the business came to an end." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, easy-going way." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "It came here." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, there when the Rucastles went away." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' nothing with him." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the address that was given us in the advertisement. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "'Then let me do so?' useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "'I shall certainly be there.' wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would south, for the country is more deserted there." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Yes." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient License. You must require such a user to return or "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it row." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and bare slabs of marble. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before respectable self." said I. look upon these things in a different way." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." orange pips. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "You will not go there first?" "Then, how do you know?" o'clock is it?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "That also I could fathom."