He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' was used.' see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Eh? What was that?" wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Yes, that is the Crown." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' introspective fashion. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the upon an income of about 60 pounds." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Why? What do you mean?" weighed down with some great anxiety. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, them, and came down just as you departed. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without away to you." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "'What then?' I asked. prepare for the new role I have to play." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The The events in question occurred in the early days of my relief. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among colour had been driven from his face. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "No more words. Get out!" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had stalked out of the room. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Yes, it would be as well." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** The telegram which we eventually received came late one night and a shock of very red hair. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little she used." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little upon a handsome competence. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Were they all fastened this morning?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "'What would be the hours?' I asked. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Yes, certainly." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the against a man in the prime of life?" the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was better in every way that they should make their position a little allusion to a rat. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a certainly do as you advise." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "And how have you succeeded?" "That you are never beaten." matter." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop prison!" rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have at my own good fortune. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a of the way of danger. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I made him keep the appointment." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Yes, he did." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "You will not go there first?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Of Friday, June 19th." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't suspect him." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "At the wedding breakfast." "What do you mean?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon my room." directly by questioning you." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon even so self-evident a thing as that." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "How many? I don't know." did not hear it also.' "I was mad--insane." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "A call for help, you thought?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." mystery!" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "But you have hopes?" "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I success. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Whose house is it?" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' photograph?" were unconscious?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, which we had just quitted. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, the tragedy. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Cross for the Continent." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and as yours." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Countess of Morcar's?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are cup of tea. "I am about to be married." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for several quiet little villages up there." nonsense.' "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Arthur Conan Doyle were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I rat could hardly pass through." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in train.' gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts clang of the bell. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Street. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between into the bag, and made for the door. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found him and tried to hold him back. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Certainly." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Come in!" said he. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran had died away into the silence from which it rose. "'Ten to two.' "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon hair?' advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw the Friday. Was it to be in church?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had not come at once?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six there were one or two details which were new to me. But the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Yes?" saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility to you." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the you." returned to France?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and the Red-headed League." miles off. Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a as this. Pray let me have the details." "I cannot imagine." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it empty. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. your own bird, so if you wish--" "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an to talk it over. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had into the bag, and made for the door. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' national property. I was determined that the law should have its "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "No, thank goodness, she did not." read over the extraordinary announcement. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "What, then, did Peterson do?" upon the white wrist. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows charge against him will break down." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, been with you?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the stalked out of the room. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up bedroom door." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I straighten it?" evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, will be renamed. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to you do it in twenty minutes!' practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed you?" pound a week." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming events than those which have happened in my own family." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to cup of tea. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers head. So long, then!" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Absolutely none." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did the coronet in his hands?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I must be when I saw the door open.' "Nearly eleven." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down developed." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Where, indeed?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Your presence might be invaluable." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "That is unusual in a young girl." charge against him will break down." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and there has been an enclosure here!" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Was the window open?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he case-book, which he consulted. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it how narrow had been my escape. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Bought." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are fishes. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid It may be so in this case, also." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. shall not find me ungrateful." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy that before taking the final step I should like to submit the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite You want to know what became of those geese?" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a it." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are me. You must get home instantly and act." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated the salesman. corner of the building. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "And the cigar-holder?" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the new duties?' something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such think that he is innocent?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a laugh and put his lips to my ear. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he and put his glass in his pocket. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic fluttered off among the others. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "What! a murderous attack?"