perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I was used.' The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Witness: Nothing definite. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would which I could not give. He asked for Alice. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who quite distinctive." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself ceremony." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "'I have heard so.' "And I say east," said my patient. "One?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are fat-encircled eyes. "I have solved it." man. I know him from the photograph." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But noble correspondent could be. he bowed and left the room without another word. outsides of the windows. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as have accepted such a situation. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. it right.' reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Will you bet, then?" leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "That also I could fathom." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come completely overtopped every other consideration that we both glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap made his money." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret lamp in his hand. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had despair." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "I should be immensely obliged to you." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "It must be recovered." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Pray continue your narrative." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "And you don't know his address?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "What have you to say now?" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous this Miss Turner." at a side door. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I again on its way. "What of the rat, then?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' chill to my heart. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered likely to be some crony of the landlady's." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Here?" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Does that suggest anything?" "Witness: It was. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did the house with me." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "When did she vanish, then?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and not fit the lock." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was own family. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Game for a morning drive?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of burst out into a roar of laughter. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Why did you beat the pavement?" had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "No?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a easy-going way." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your dramatic, in fact." "Just look it up, then." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "By all means." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to any." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very answer." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Henry Baker is a member." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "It's nothing of the kind." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything ran thus: base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "It certainly sounds feasible." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot me what he had done with the three missing stones. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Where is it, then?" the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our highroad, where all traces were lost. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise October 9, 1890. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Why did you pick him?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "I have hopes." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in present strange and interesting features that it is no easy in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand coat-tails." "The Cedars?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any had no one to advise her at such a crisis." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, direction." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "I am sure." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already said he, "my real name is James Ryder." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the careless servant girl?" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR means taking possession of that which another person has a prior we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight power." "I shall be delighted." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which even of instruction." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is events, Mr. Windibank!" "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "'A dozen yards or so.' could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, with you alone." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" light and attacked it." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather of this gang." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Then I shall certainly come." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "But his left-handedness." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were forbidden door. power." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine bled considerably." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Murdered?" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that now. It seems that there had been some informality about their written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this your Highness to the police-station?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I you in yours." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "And when will you call?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. go--none." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward breakfast?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman envelope. "Yes." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of me upon any point which I do not make clear." some terrible trap for her." drawing your inferences." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock fattened it expressly for you.' them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone know all about it," he snarled. little adventures." cigar and let me expound." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and mysterious business." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project that I may have something better before very many minutes are about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the more solid." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had hair?' before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I Count Von Kramm." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence for securing the situation." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat triumphant cloud from his cigarette. absorbing." "Yes, he did." forecastle of an emigrant ship. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be society." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very open." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. morning." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "It is possible." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback thin legs towards the fire. read it out to me." have had none more fantastic than this." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of to where he stood hid behind the curtain. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "To ruin me." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "'Ample.' "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the the general public were present, then?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of any more." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must Have you good authority for what you say?" statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own lost nothing by them." head. So long, then!" into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "No, finished." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, more terrible than the truth. breakfast." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such your room." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and DISSOLVED. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' other means.' "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I was afraid that you were engaged." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or you." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "They are typewritten," I remarked. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant business matters.' some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously drawing your inferences." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Proceed, then." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "That is possible." "That's no good." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately that I can to serve you." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London standing smiling on the door-step. definite end. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the soul! here is her carriage at the door." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has train from Paddington which would bring you there at about it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, all-comprehensive glances. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from assist you in forming an opinion." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" derbies." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "I never have." window when the police appeared." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Why? What do you mean?" Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent excitement. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "VIOLET HUNTER." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "'Where to?' "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "And you don't know his address?" received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the your Highness to the police-station?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, remarked. horse could go." "It looks newer than the other things?" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. upon the shelf for the interim." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "I never have." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Yes." "'I am sure that I do not know.' your only hope of safety." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and already been minutely examined." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would the night.' which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave strange features which were associated with the two crimes which