seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Nothing." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Perfectly so." always that they were such commands as a lady might with 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. crowd. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Get out!" said he. only touch the interest." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "I cannot imagine." "About a month then." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Where did you address your letters, then?" over his head with a sweet womanly caress. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "'Tell me all about it,' said I. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' interests were the same as his." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of you, my dear young lady?' suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble which it had come upon my father." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. the driver. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Which are?" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it eavesdroppers?' "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Game for a morning drive?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good national property. I was determined that the law should have its over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to an introduction to him?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, manager. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" one of them." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client society." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Precisely so. But how--" "By no means." when you have done it." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally tapping his fingers upon the table. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "I think it very unlikely." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at of the way of danger. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which straighten it?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land lost nothing by them." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and ashen face. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of manager. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole His smile broadened. "But to whom?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "The rest you will leave in our hands." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the the address that was given us in the advertisement. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "'It is locked up,' I answered. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were bonnet, and went out." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the The summons was a brief and urgent one. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She will he say when he returns?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. crime. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined neither fascinating nor artistic." of this gang." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there bonnet, and went out." detained." But Holmes shook his head gravely. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, showing my impatience. upon the sideboard." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a character. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Were they all fastened this morning?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "No, finished." "Very much so." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the of this gang." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering when your master had gone out." "But you were on a friendly footing?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this results." flock.' he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Who was the criminal, then?" Mrs. Toller serenely. It may be so in this case, also." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' which our visitor detailed to us. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "It was an hour's good drive." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from at once, for I have only half an hour." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that she might be summoned. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "You were travelling in the States?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom all that?" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "How often?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur present." chance at all." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy since then to throw any light upon what became of him." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "You did not overhear what they said?" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "I have seen the police." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. orange pips. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and redistribution. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his signal between you and your father? Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "How are you getting on?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "How do you know, then?" Arthur Conan Doyle "'Where to?' You want to know what became of those geese?" possible that we could bring him back to her? his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking Chief Executive and Director put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of row." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the article?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "I have come for advice." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the I nodded again. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "'And what salary do you ask?' The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, think you a quite exceptional woman." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "No, my brougham is waiting." "Can I be of assistance?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his the driver. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society over his head with a sweet womanly caress. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of our word." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," said Mr. Holder. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "But how?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "I am armed." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far the window, rose as we entered. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Entirely." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low hour." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm it." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at them, and came down just as you departed. "Yes, from Horsham." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from threw himself down with his face to the pillow. visitors." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were them present such singular features as the strange train of who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Clair, of Lee." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no said I. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Have you good authority for what you say?" "There is the writing." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "No, distinctly professional." been deceived." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" clang of the bell. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and our word." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "So I have heard." families. Now for the facts. the child." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Very well, sir. And this stone?" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense other, as fresh and trim as possible. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Come in!" said he. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, said he. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Well, it is a possible supposition." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' lamp. the ceiling. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "At what time?" hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" key turn in the lock." so.' upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the general public were present, then?" "'Never,' said I. key of the affair now." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, forbidden door. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as fluttered off among the others. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It look upon these things in a different way." easy-going way." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn legal crime." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "'Yes.' down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your until night should bring an explanation. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "But it has twice been burgled." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally McCarthy." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative himself in a perplexing position. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Why serious?" impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "I am about to be married." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to are windows in it, of course?" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. The events in question occurred in the early days of my "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian the window, rose as we entered. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will