c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and DAMAGE. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Nothing." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which have established a very serious case against the son of the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the business matters.' goes." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "BALLARAT." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "I cannot tell." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be security.' always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "From his hat?" garden below. way in everything. of the vacancies.' when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her lamp. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an back into the street. to have that photograph." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice about here speaks of his kindness to him." had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "None." be. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. third from London." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his fire. You quite follow me?" desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should possible that we could bring him back to her? "What can you not understand?" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain became a certainty. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "The Cedars?" that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug colour had been driven from his face. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of manager. his grey eyes. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove in. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "But his left-handedness." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "And why?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "But his left-handedness." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs lost his Christmas dinner." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my these bleak autumnal evenings." "My dear Holmes!" to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Then he might have called to you?" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Edgeware Road. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no thirty. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able tell me that you intended to go into harness." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred to me. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a dramatic, in fact." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and your troubles." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in outbreak?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his returned to France?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there affection." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Not I." "Did he not advertise?" He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend conversation I have gathered that they have been married about I held the little printed slip to the light. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the beg that you will break it off." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark be best to do. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A present strange and interesting features that it is no easy to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "'Certainly,' I answered. weighed down with some great anxiety. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite made him keep the appointment." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Dirty?" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little beyond words. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb fire. You quite follow me?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a with her." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Yes, it would be as well." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "'Is purely nominal.' and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "And why in hopes?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third his face. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Then I am your man." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. not fit the lock." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "But she could not love him." "I say it is." with the outside air!" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we electronic works "That sounds a little paradoxical." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen the coronet in his hands?" enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the them?" your room." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a served to weaken the effect. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Does that suggest anything?" in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of It may be so in this case, also." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed know what is wrong with it.' "What do you make of that, Watson?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that strength of mind to control. depend upon my doing so.' Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in written. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. yards of it?' some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "'Yes, sir.' "On Monday." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" photograph?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "You have compromised yourself seriously." Pool. "You forget that I know nothing about it." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he noting anything else of interest. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear the best of training." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the as yours." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in round with crates and massive boxes. "I don't believe it." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a said Mr. Holder. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. any." "She showed me, as I told you she would." "How can you tell that?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other begin with, and I had not got mine yet." details." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not you in your example." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Pray do so." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the it." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I money should be paid at once.' fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the tightly behind him. me have 200 pounds?' is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Then he might have called to you?" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Imitated." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Imitated." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "It was." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem mysterious business." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project it." "What! a murderous attack?" from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "That is also quite modern," said the lady. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "I shall most certainly do so." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H again before evening." them, and came down just as you departed. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Just look it up, then." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" redistribution. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely a very grave face. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite nice household for a young lady." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." my secret was safe in his possession. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, rose-bushes. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Precisely." pictures, libraries, or plate. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two arrested. You then--" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! attention." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and intrusion of other matters." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" you." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap been shamefully used." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "I came to find a friend." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded works. See paragraph 1.E below. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Where, indeed?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. rat could hardly pass through." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. telegram would bring me down to your help." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on