"Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered what do you think they found in the pockets?" "I will try. What is it?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "But we can't all be." with her." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, one which it was hard to resist. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Yes, it would be as well." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We bedroom door." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a married her." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "'Certainly not. But why?' seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. the general public were present, then?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. really the only notable feature about the thing." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, the tragedy. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," noting anything else of interest. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." shall not find me ungrateful." relief. "I fear not." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug vanished into the darkness. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. it." was lame." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. answer." placed his cuttings. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "I am still in the dark." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Mary, has deserted me." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "And why?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for instituted." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since was a loud and authoritative tap. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Project Gutenberg-tm works. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Will you go?" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must not as remarkable as your advertisement." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in is entirely a question of barometric pressure." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was key turn in the lock." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "What is it, then--a fire?" the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend the stable lane now." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Yes, the wine-cellar." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR away to you." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he you?' devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey the coronet in his hands?" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "No." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing comes from the middle window." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "'About the same.' copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "The Coroner: What do you mean? "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "It missed him, then?" "And I." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. lips." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after know what is wrong with it.' parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence pity, because in other respects you would really have done very point in the dark hollow of his hand. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in father's young wife. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "'What are you doing there?' he asked. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "I am to be neutral?" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It prove to be little relation between the different incidents of upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the security.' The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb that?' and effective." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church legal crime." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "You are all wrong." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. individual and becomes the badge of a society." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it place of silver." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have leave you to your papers for a little." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my along the entire front of the house, with three long windows behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "No." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I will try. What is it?" gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Nothing?" course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "How on earth--" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some October 9, 1890. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "'Stolen!' he cried. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "You have but to name it." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "My photograph." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the to change my dress. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their see a sister of mine apply for." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "No." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" had this final quarrel? "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your province." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "By no means." of Mr. Rucastle's." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Why did you pick him?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, always that they were such commands as a lady might with threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." the child." him!" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed is worth.' diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had into the room. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are thirty. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "You'll never persuade me to believe that." becomes even more simple." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "She told me to ask you." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "And that is--" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "That is it on the dressing-table." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Imitated." desk. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Breckinridge is his name." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest national property. I was determined that the law should have its of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an constraint." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "I have come for advice." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: of his shoulders. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in instincts rose up against that laugh. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt a little more before I quite committed myself. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke my little problems." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and subject to the trademark license, especially commercial man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind again, where I was soon asleep. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De introspective fashion. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "'There is a drive, then?' developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Now, then, what's the last entry?" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. of it with the greatest attention. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "No, distinctly professional." nothing with him." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, think, you have already met." and that he would see to anything that turned up. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." conclusions. held up the lantern and gazed about him. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the she used." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." miles off. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears forebodings. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "You are hungry," I remarked. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the Street. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the once more for Briony Lodge. "I cannot say that I have." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "I see no marks." would apply.' "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It upon the white wrist. secret." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able is entirely a question of barometric pressure." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." matters immensely." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Where, then?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Then I shall certainly come." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser possible that we could bring him back to her? already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and allusion to a rat. "And what did you see?" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had round with crates and massive boxes. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and not interfere, come what may. You understand?" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the questionable one." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Do you know him?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "I know where it is." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "And what did you learn from him?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "'About the same.' room. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of that I am arrested." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" and laid it on the table. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you