admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few hour?' a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "And I to find an enemy." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof to tackle the facts." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found present." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in astonishment. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Really! You surprise me." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Street. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If the devil!" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "And you don't know his address?" what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Was the window open?" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of at my own good fortune. very morning of my second wedding." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's official police." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the tightly behind him. clanging. "Dr. Becher's." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit affection." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor wedding?" "Yes?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy yourselves in at night?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the wedding?" "He disappeared so suddenly." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. your only hope of safety." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "'Ample.' "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as tassel actually lying upon the pillow. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." habit of advancing money.' the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be gone. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "What! a murderous attack?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and you." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Then what has happened to him?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed works. See paragraph 1.E below. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "I was certainly surprised to find you there." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with fled together." in darkness. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "I have my revolver," said I. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have there is a decided draught." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too made his money." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Yes, I have one waiting." secret." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her your billet.' that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is upon the sideboard." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before and the colonel ushered me in. "What of the rat, then?" "And what did you learn from him?" it." "But how did you gain them?" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill away in different directions, and I went off to make my own would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "You did not overhear what they said?" The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred front of the hall door has given its name to the place. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "None." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss chance." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard stood on the top of it. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Did your wife hear all this?" "I am armed." wife's character?" to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from considering the formidable letters which were received by himself right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and be sorry for having acted so harshly." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of hair?' it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Only as much as we can deduce." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the the window, rose as we entered. "And now?" I asked. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "The rest you will leave in our hands." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it not personally threatened." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Not social, then?" old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Street. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian name is different." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the running down." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned in this way: high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing crime. prisoner's face. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately article?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here you." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." your most interesting statement." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. what is your own theory as to what took place?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once appointment with me for six o'clock?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. than was visible to me." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be the stable lane now." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered populous neighbourhood." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "What have you to say now?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as room?" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "His face fell immediately. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of be sorry for having acted so harshly." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it and prosperity to your house. Good-night." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "'Yes, it was gone.' statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the lips." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been are, and they are waiting for us." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. paper in the air. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the are windows in it, of course?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the lamp. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Gutenberg-tm License. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "What office?" so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "But she will refuse." "You saw the ventilator, too?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he even so self-evident a thing as that." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for people in all walks of life. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless over with notes and figures. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "'What then?' I asked. back alive. Pool. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Eyford." "She told me to ask you." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was again." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" manager. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set felt the room to be a little close.' handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and delighted to hear it," he said. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "I shall be delighted." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Tired-looking or fresh?" desk. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his to go into your room and bar your shutters?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the written. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "I have come for advice." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our swore that no one else had been in the front room during the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many face and glided from the room. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I official police." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have make me his representative both with the servants and with the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this fasten all the windows?" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "BALLARAT." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old at a side door. Where does the thing come from?' silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Witness: It was. the little opening for the ventilator is." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "It came here." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself must compliment you." DISSOLVED. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have The events in question occurred in the early days of my nights." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "You were travelling in the States?" shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE cigars in the box." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. will take you up to see the machine.' relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that invisible to me," I remarked. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of acquaintance?" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Of what?" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Oh, fresh and glossy." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, to talk it over. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "I have my revolver," said I. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the