the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "I cannot think." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as it." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and works. copied or distributed: not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the DAMAGE. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he sentimental considerations in the background which would induce nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I His smile broadened. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but pity, because in other respects you would really have done very IS making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Stolen." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. II. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "I have seen the police." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Quite so. She has her freedom." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that arms and began to sob in a high treble key. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when fluttered off among the others. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "I would pay ten." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and and no precautions can guard against." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "And your mother is alive?" to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "'Where could I find him?' the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should note?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; noting anything else of interest. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "The King of Scandinavia." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at hardly wander." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "The gentleman I describe." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Won't it ring?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "At the wedding breakfast." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "'In my own bureau.' wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have been with you?" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining question. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it that threaten you." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the companion imperturbably. "No." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "The rest you will leave in our hands." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took about. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to bachelor.' formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "And what did you learn from him?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind written. Heh?' this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." case-book, which he consulted. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I be there in time for your coming." will take you up to see the machine.' do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could This is what he says: shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked unclasping of his long thin hands. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. His name is Francis Prosper." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had mysterious business." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an papers must be those that are destroyed.' a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. obstinate." I shall communicate with you." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "You have the photograph?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for hour?' "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "'What then?' I asked. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. you." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and papers diligently of late, have you not?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of her also." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. leave you to your papers for a little." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "He said too much." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical a suggestive one." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key joking. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "'How far from the body?' massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was not within a twentieth part of the market price." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I letters?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to a room. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project companion imperturbably. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be and looked back. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from meant." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with some water from a caraffe. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the out of this horrible affair." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "If so, much may have happened between." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual this remarkable episode. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the she might be summoned. of the one which your family is now devouring." that he will be back before evening." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Texas, I think." character. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of as this. Pray let me have the details." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the devil!" "Dr. Becher's." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it heavily into it. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I one else, I think." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, light and attacked it." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it how narrow had been my escape. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the she to prove their authenticity?" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "No." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the joking. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "And what then?" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, enter Dr. Roylott's room." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the be.' little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom me what he had done with the three missing stones. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I second." "'A dozen yards or so.' comes from the middle window." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "I am about to be married." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was upon the sideboard." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that I took the paper from him and read as follows: and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." I was concerned in it." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Yes." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "In heaven's name, what for?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. answer." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and there is a decided draught." "I should be immensely obliged to you." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Who was the criminal, then?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now the salesman. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Dr. Becher's." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "I cannot think." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very asked. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a strength of mind to control. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length several quiet little villages up there." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. I. interested in these little problems, and since you are good fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "'Why that?' I asks. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old be.' and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout possible that we could bring him back to her? as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of despaired of." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "By all means." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may his wife has ceased to love him." asked with his eyes open. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt into the room. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with we went to search for him, face downward in a little walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Indeed! Whose, then?" "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I have my revolver," said I. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in new acquaintance to Baker Street. instituted." despair." into the bag, and made for the door. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "You horrify me!" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her opened the door, and slipped through. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a works. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of bell. Holmes whistled. "Yes." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Miss Holder?" emerged. "Stolen." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need your Highness to the police-station?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor business came to an end." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, must compliment you." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open.