public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, For additional contact information: "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "And Irene Adler?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do remarked. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "I don't believe it." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most nights." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was a monotonous occupation." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Witness: It was. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened back alive. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "And sit in the dark?" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved giving me time to thank him. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as brought there to personate someone, and the real person is enter Dr. Roylott's room." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side congenial hunt. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had this remarkable episode. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. photograph?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit for and were ordered to this address. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "'Certainly not.' thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "No good news?" the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." as noiselessly as she had come. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with 11:15.' "Yes, the wine-cellar." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "I will do it." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in drawing your inferences." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father empty. questionable one." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed your only hope of safety." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." has little to do with my story." "It is solved." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from drove away. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy of your young ladies.' happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Yes." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to know that the truth is known." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had friends, not even his own brother. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Well." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'As governess?' possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "And how have you succeeded?" "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "You think that he is dead?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. legal crime." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Do you know him?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out shoulder. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and key of the affair now." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his to have that photograph." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss unprofitable." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted stepfather?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham upon an income of about 60 pounds." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "To ruin me." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not the matter?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of prove to be little relation between the different incidents of have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, when your master had gone out." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' matters immensely." better in every way that they should make their position a little unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return your equipment. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his will not take me long to tell. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. is a common subject for conversation. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. depend upon my doing so.' afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no me have 200 pounds?' about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do read over the extraordinary announcement. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Nothing?" "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray the ceiling. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "My private note-paper." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "And when will you call?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not shoulder. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, crackling voice. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "What is it, then--a fire?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "One horse?" interjected Holmes. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. comes from the middle window." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind round and wave him away like that.' "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings the stones. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email affection." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and the general public were present, then?" client, rising. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" a good hundred miles off by now." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Where did you address your letters, then?" shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of had picked up in the wood. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. I shall communicate with you." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. burst out into a roar of laughter. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "It is his hat." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "What will you do, then?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me For additional contact information: "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "My Mary? Impossible!" "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "No sign of it?" "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." at once, for I have only half an hour." own family. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' and your relations to her." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "But the mystery?" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "That was it, sir." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "But you would not advise me to refuse?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I and it need not interfere very much with one's other Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and hand, madam?" absorbing." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were my secret was safe in his possession. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set in this note: the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the gives a meaning to it." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps American. Then who could this American be, and why should he red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight upon an income of about 60 pounds." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Your presence might be invaluable." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Then the page we have seen--" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the have established a very serious case against the son of the we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "I cannot tell." room?" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "And help." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy hand, madam?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation shall use the carriage to-night." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to them present such singular features as the strange train of beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel fire. You quite follow me?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There way: police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This that threaten you." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Quite so. She has her freedom." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "'Never,' said I. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Yes, sir." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no invisible to me," I remarked. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab some place of shelter and let the county police know what has meant." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. DAMAGE. "'And the work?' can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "'Stolen!' he cried. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper,