hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "What then?" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. bonnet, and went out." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the do.' a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. have established a very serious case against the son of the http://gutenberg.net/license). For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "You are all wrong." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "I think it very unlikely." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in him." "Texas, I think." "He slept on the premises." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. was used.' We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck girl said." followed. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his heavy and sharp instrument." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I woman." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a arms and began to sob in a high treble key. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "How did you deduce the select?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your voice, changing her seat as requested. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could things are very often connected not with the larger but with the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "You'll never persuade me to believe that." drawing your inferences." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "I am to be neutral?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had client, rising. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Certainly." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; shaken than I had ever seen him. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change and all of them with the keenest interest. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Was the window open?" he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it the inner apartment." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I companion. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to prove to be little relation between the different incidents of mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Then he might have called to you?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, less than 26s. 4d. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "'How far from the body?' wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not States. "It missed him, then?" went to the Alpha were town bred." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "It is very clear." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "'I am sure that I do not know.' nothing with him." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have face and glided from the room. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he eavesdroppers?' heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out a good hundred miles off by now." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it I held the little printed slip to the light. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. strength of mind to control. following enigmatical notices: five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Ha! you find it so?" bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" should be so warm over such a trifle." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the wedding?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and morning." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Ha! you find it so?" character. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in could not have written that. It is the German who is so once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the the tragedy. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "I have hopes." and effective." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "9th. McCauley cleared. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a until night should bring an explanation. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his page at http://pglaf.org take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. learned something! Where are the gems?" relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Perhaps I have." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Breckinridge is his name." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the very letters. But what is this written above them?' of Mr. Rucastle's." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and imbecility!" he cried. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "And I say east," said my patient. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the house with me." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for charge against him will break down." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." maiden herself was most instructive." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "No legal papers or certificates?" have one." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Well?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. you for a few hours?" "What will you do, then?" "My private note-paper." important." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own with her." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred done what I asked you, Jones?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "What will you say?" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door call it cruel." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no remarked. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been there in twenty minutes." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the undoubtedly my uncle's." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "I was sure that I might rely on you." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham I nodded to show that I had heard. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "In heaven's name, what for?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. invisible to me," I remarked. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Holmes. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which maiden herself was most instructive." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "There are none." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and of the way of danger. and effective." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Not him." in a friendly supper." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." must be when I saw the door open.' soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards fashion which was peculiar to him. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." and glanced through. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "This concluded the examination of the witness." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips annoyance, but no jest. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "I will not look." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Yes." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the brain must have something in it." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this geese which you supplied to the Alpha." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I It may be so in this case, also." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of manager. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the up this clue while it is still hot." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at bonnet, and went out." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in discontent upon his features. cigars in their mouths. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Perhaps I have." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face recover the gem." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son of his shoulders. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this shall use the carriage to-night." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "I was certainly surprised to find you there." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Yes." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk despaired of." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, the night.' I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the carpenter." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as mystery may be cleared along those lines." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no the coronet in his hand?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "'There is a drive, then?' It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned to-night's adventure." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the individual and becomes the badge of a society." been." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a key turn in the lock." taking in every detail of the apartment. you came in." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "But how did you gain them?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Yes, I have one waiting." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was look dissatisfied." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "By all means." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for to take care of herself." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five is now desirous of getting those letters back." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police and the whole place is in a blaze." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, be best to do. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "That also I could fathom."