"John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a intrusion of other matters." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that acquaintance?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Stoke Moran." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Come in!" said he. "So I am. Very much so." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily secret." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and easy-going way." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions useful material for showing traces. The double line a little means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "I have my revolver," said I. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my been able to understand it, in a very few words. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment note?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Why, it's a dummy," said he. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "'As governess?' "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. IS *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of humiliation." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the chill to my heart. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce stood on the top of it. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a quick march!" "'Very good.' heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress tassel actually lying upon the pillow. despaired of." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "That is it on the dressing-table." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "There is the writing." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled breakfast?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Have you her photograph?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "You were travelling in the States?" he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Munro.' instituted." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced congratulate you again." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I Count Von Kramm." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "'And the work?' "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in strength." absorbing." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a once more to my work. "Was she in good spirits?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Why, what do you mean?" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "How many? I don't know." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the remarked. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook delirious. III. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was directly by questioning you." deduce something from that?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Did your wife hear all this?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." colonel looking down at me. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third words came to my lips. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who For additional contact information: was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Well, some hundreds of times." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." instincts rose up against that laugh. stepfather?" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "And how in the world did you find them?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened *** START: FULL LICENSE *** him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "None. Neville wrote those words." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had new acquaintance to Baker Street. main points of my analysis." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR in your London, you will know that the office of the company is What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Yes?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Never." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was place no limit on the sum I may draw." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the as noiselessly as she had come. I was concerned in it." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "You'll never persuade me to believe that." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Could he throw no light?" there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered kindly on the shoulder. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very bill, which interests me deeply." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Absolutely none." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man ill-usage at the hands of fortune. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in you give your casting vote to?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "What, then?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn that I am arrested." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the salesman. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and It was close upon four before the door opened, and a withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want more solid." outsides of the windows. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "I have come for advice." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "I cannot think." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "I will not look." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful tightly behind him. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "But I am all in the dark." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he bell. Holmes whistled. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." and it need not interfere very much with one's other friend's singular character. "And I say east," said my patient. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Bought." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. served to weaken the effect. status with the IRS. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. man. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Where does the thing come from?' result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' asked with his eyes open. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Yes, but only for you and me." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away invisible to me," I remarked. "'How far from the body?' been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you infinite languor in his face. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in some terrible trap for her." me have 200 pounds?' happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "'Entirely.' "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study wedding?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "It surprised me." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Not social, then?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business leave you to your papers for a little." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Lee, in the county of Kent." "Perfectly so." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door you." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." certainly not very gracious." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "I have solved it." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at information in his hands the value of which he did not himself formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. invisible to me," I remarked. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Here?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Proceed, then." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they call for protection in the marriage market, for the present was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day floor. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was coroner's jury." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "It is no ordinary one." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight business at Coburg Square is serious." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Then, how do you know?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the affair. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" trifles." any." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the of Mr. Rucastle's." your billet.' original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, which it had come upon my father." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far believe that I should never have any practice at all. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment murdered man." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "If so, much may have happened between." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, made his money." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "The Coroner: What do you mean? have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the one else, I think." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual lips." "Can I be of assistance?" "You think that he is dead?" to-morrow." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in showing my impatience. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the bed, and you in that chair." into the room. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle