"I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of opened the door, and slipped through. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' name is different." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Seven!" I answered. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "From his hat?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled may never be exposed to such a temptation." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "But what harm can there be in that?" practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is and laid it on the table. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to back to my heart. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body ran thus: predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Then I am your man." if only as a check to my own memory." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, But Holmes shook his head gravely. stood on the top of it. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. or other trace. But how on earth--" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do lost his Christmas dinner." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, bed dies. Does not that strike you?" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "And now?" I asked. good-night and bustled off upon her way. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and over part of the map. "What do you read?" morning." "Precisely." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is not within a twentieth part of the market price." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his point in the dark hollow of his hand. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it furiously. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly upon the shelf for the interim." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" fashion which was peculiar to him. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I clang of the bell. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "'And the work?' with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of DAMAGE. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond both be extremely obliged.' already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his soul! here is her carriage at the door." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in occupations.' Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not himself to tell his story. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil wife's character?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Absolutely none." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "He might." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. lips." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Will you go?" outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Your sister is dead, then?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do who was a member of your goose club." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course get the tickets." wedding?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Indeed! Whose, then?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, been shamefully used." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely may never be exposed to such a temptation." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Stoke Moran?" said he. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "It may not come to that," said Holmes. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "It is no ordinary one." "I would pay ten." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual and it need not interfere very much with one's other until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had During two years I have had three consultations and one small "One?" envelope. little trying to do so much typewriting?" preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "This photograph!" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "He is still with you, I presume?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" copied or distributed: from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "'Certainly not. But why?' because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Edgeware Road. "And leave your case unfinished?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "'A dozen yards or so.' process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped all-comprehensive glances. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "On Monday." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Yes." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest photograph?" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the south-west, I see." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the the devil!" anything to a woman, for she would have her way." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. sufficient punishment." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' most interesting one." one of the states of the Union." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "How do you know, then?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main had formerly been in part my own. true." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She so far?" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Why, it's a dummy," said he. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," what is your own theory as to what took place?" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the I think that I could be of assistance to you." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a not within a twentieth part of the market price." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something galvanised. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and believe that I should never have any practice at all. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes yet." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "She told me to ask you." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "A greater distance to travel." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" happened." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the friend's singular character. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and for and were ordered to this address. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "But it has twice been burgled." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not bachelor.' examination of the premises, but without finding anything which resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Chief Executive and Director Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear not, dad?" she asked. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what relief. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Why did you pick him?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his handed it to him. weighed down with some great anxiety. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There unclasping of his long thin hands. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp she has been waylaid. There has been no result." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, should be so warm over such a trifle." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very of Mr. Rucastle's." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "And help." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Bought." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Precisely so. But how--" compunction about shooting them down." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the 1.E.9. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Cross for the Continent." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, for securing the situation." fattened it expressly for you.' keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Then I shall certainly come." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may shadow pass over his face as I spoke. chamber." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Where to?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Countess of Morcar's?" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "'Ample.' "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "BALLARAT." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Then he might have called to you?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home might have a private word with us. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you upon the sideboard." "Never." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to it." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so tell him that I know him to be innocent." Count Von Kramm." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Holmes, the busybody!" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Yes." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Sutherland?" the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of is entirely a question of barometric pressure." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I way in." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was occupations.' more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian dear old homesteads?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the stammered. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, remarked. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Well, but China?" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The infinite languor in his face. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "My opinion is in no way altered." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park.