evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a occurred." "That is it on the dressing-table." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step cigar and let me expound." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "You have carte blanche." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New other, as fresh and trim as possible. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there pierced for earrings?" works. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because trifles." not within a twentieth part of the market price." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "'As governess?' "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly be best to do. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "In San Francisco, a year ago." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor some terrible trap for her." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "In which, sir?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Where did he live, then?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." maiden herself was most instructive." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." during that time.' had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about about. politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have questioning and rather startled gaze. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." Holmes' face clouded over. that you can jump it.' squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat lamp in his hand. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "I was mad--insane." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not not come at once?" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Deserted you?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Sholtos." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Never." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "By all means." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled to Leatherhead. photograph a cabinet?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "ARAT," I read. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." her also." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my see a sister of mine apply for." it with his own hands." society." your bag." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I II. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I second window is the one that I jumped from." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an rooms." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror strong reason behind." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise that you can jump it.' "Where did you address your letters, then?" awkward doing business with an alias." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "It missed him, then?" "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Were they all fastened this morning?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a are windows in it, of course?" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Yes." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "I would pay ten." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a think you a quite exceptional woman." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a you want, then?' bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not the date of his supposed suicide." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the chill to my heart. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I the matter." the matter." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I wedding?" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. best detective that ever lived. "Then you may entirely rely on me." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut asked. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "I guessed as much." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate the nursery. again on its way. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. read it out to me." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "How on earth--" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence his knees, staring into the fire. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my enter Dr. Roylott's room." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do gigantic client. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." eat it." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the look upon these things in a different way." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are undoubtedly my uncle's." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been was lame." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny works. See paragraph 1.E below. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "And the murderer?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my begin with, and I had not got mine yet." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves completely overtopped every other consideration that we both when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' second." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the coronet in his hand?" and your relations to her." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon that there was nothing in it, after all." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the with you?" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such breakfast." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock without success. At last the little money which I had saved began to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "It is true that I have been generally successful." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, happened." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs individual and becomes the badge of a society." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing bled considerably." "Yes." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss What do you deduce from it?" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little reach." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is key of the affair now." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of question you as to those details which seem to me to be most his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Holmes' thin, eager face. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Very. But will he see it?" the coronet in his hands?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, to that open window." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "The King of Scandinavia." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive the little opening for the ventilator is." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. business at Coburg Square is serious." "Very much so." politicians who had been sent down from the North. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker drove away. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for affair. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in rat could hardly pass through." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation through." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "The knees of his trousers." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "'Never,' said I. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "I see no marks." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a into the room. "In which, sir?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "And now?" He raised his hand. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's have been better. It is all right." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Frequently." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try you?' "Well, some hundreds of times." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Very truly yours, fasten all the windows?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who my friend's incisive reasoning. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden you want, then?' 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." you want, then?' as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are before, for it was considerably after midnight. "'Entirely.' by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "What?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "And how did you verify them?" there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "I cannot imagine." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us away in different directions, and I went off to make my own c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, there when the Rucastles went away." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Will you go?" posted to-day." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Come in!" said Holmes. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "One of his hands." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help him." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. possible that we could bring him back to her? and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis wedding?" nice household for a young lady." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is himself to hunt down. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice things are very often connected not with the larger but with the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Yes, only one." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Yes, only one." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Indeed! Whose, then?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her take the flies, but not before." with the outside air!" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs next day. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had thin, with a long, sharp nose?" no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the key turn in the lock." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's stately, old-fashioned manner he departed.