on re-entering her father's house?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "And your mother is alive?" "Get out!" said he. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very guilty parties." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "I am still in the dark." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' thin legs towards the fire. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to and effective." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause existence." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Is he quiet?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few like gravel from a pit.' "Why, what do you mean?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is learned something! Where are the gems?" "What can it mean?" I gasped. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of get her out of the way." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Will you bet, then?" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Was there a secret marriage?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was all-comprehensive glances. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to is so. I know all about McCarthy." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. has little to do with my story." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Yes." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate in your London, you will know that the office of the company is from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he as he folded up the epistle. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what look dissatisfied." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a lips." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "And how have you succeeded?" us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and narrative." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my could go. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. business." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Stolen." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "What is it, then--a fire?" "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped my little problems." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the highroad, where all traces were lost. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "My dear Holmes!" comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "That sounds a little paradoxical." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, woven round him. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying some mystery and the punishment of some crime." definite end. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "'And the work?' stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was enter Dr. Roylott's room." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. bare slabs of marble. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally served to weaken the effect. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "'You cannot say what it was?' "Imitated." figure." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just see a sister of mine apply for." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Yes, but only for you and me." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Yes." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the most interesting one." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "No." "What is it?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this telegram would bring me down to your help." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner amused." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it point our research must commence, and we will begin it by insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "What will you do, then?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "But to whom?" since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid I leave." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage bachelor.' he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the feature." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project side. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "What then?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. would then never go into court at all." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, would apply.' believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior have accepted such a situation. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double hurried by. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in dramatic, in fact." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has again before evening." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a pound a week." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook beyond words. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Whose house is it?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "You are all wrong." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried and laid it on the table. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached village inn over there?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback to-night's adventure." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her daring than any effort of the imagination." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. fuss that is made over them." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were do you make of it all?" He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a highly," said Holmes. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Yes, certainly." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You crime." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "No, I think that I'll take it." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Nothing." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then hard-headed British jury." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able suspect him." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Indeed! Whose, then?" think that any burglar could have done. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I forbidden door. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Yes." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "To an end?" "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the to-morrow." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. cigars in their mouths. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some prove to be little relation between the different incidents of during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Nothing." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. me where it went to?" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a had no one to advise her at such a crisis." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was McCarthy's innocence. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "It is no ordinary one." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided to a more successful conclusion." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual point our research must commence, and we will begin it by and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I the room while you explain this matter?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the distinguish the words: "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the this man was intellectual?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "But you have hopes?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the and effective." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has washing it down with a long draught of water. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "One?" enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The families. Now for the facts. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say manager. "How often?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might IS "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of done what I asked you, Jones?" your troubles." the roots. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. have had none more fantastic than this." "'Is purely nominal.' which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was I approached. "I cannot imagine." "Yes." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Where, indeed?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know and have this put in the evening papers." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked miles off. "And what did you learn from him?" which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "But the mystery?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly fattened it expressly for you.' receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was three fields round his house, and there he would take his trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Is he quiet?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we