grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "What! a murderous attack?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should weighed down with some great anxiety. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. a good hundred miles off by now." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom charge against him will break down." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup of receipt of the work. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them tell them apart.' surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Henry Baker is a member." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that were wasted." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Nothing." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "You have the photograph?" I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the through." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is character. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Yes." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "And how?" electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "No, I am descending." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in desk. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added the bottom.' roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the was shining brightly. "His face fell immediately. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Seven!" I answered. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me what these perils are?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was all-comprehensive glances. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Henry Baker is a member." "'And the work?' "It is no ordinary one." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always things are very often connected not with the larger but with the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Ah!" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love Pope's Court. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that have one." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "'What would be the hours?' I asked. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in will take you up to see the machine.' "An accident, I presume?" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his fuss that is made over them." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally open." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a and all of them with the keenest interest. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "How about poison?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "And Miss Sutherland?" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB swore that no one else had been in the front room during the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? the stones. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is think, you have already met." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. started for the Temple to see my husband. society." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "And you can do nothing until then?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and promised to bring home. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "And why in hopes?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few beyond words. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a tassel actually lying upon the pillow. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Yes, he did." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" whereabouts. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it other lovers by making love himself." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." kindly on the shoulder. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet said he at last. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "I say it is." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "'There is a drive, then?' Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "I have hopes." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in late!' "'About the same.' "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "I never have." "And you thought he was pulled back?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She you, my dear young lady?' "I cannot imagine." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do of them has the shutters up.' To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. ready to-morrow?' "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the fled together." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with held up the lantern and gazed about him. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Not social, then?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Nothing?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday look dissatisfied." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you tell me that you intended to go into harness." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." pierced for earrings?" "He slept on the premises." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "I don't believe it." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the have been better. It is all right." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "In San Francisco, a year ago." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to place of silver." "He is still with you, I presume?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not carpenter." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to remarked. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "I am sure." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we business came to an end." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "I was afraid that you were engaged." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in where we are going." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest it right.' with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, What do you deduce from it?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out them?" "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "I promise," said Holmes. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock developed." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Yes." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside depend upon my doing so.' that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "What, then?" should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Well?" roused himself from his reverie. and I shall be with you presently." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking key of the affair now." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned miles off. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." matter." "Were they all fastened this morning?" drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your me what he had done with the three missing stones. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "At the wedding breakfast." never came back." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "I have my revolver," said I. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "And I." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, bearing upon the case." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" your equipment. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Dirty?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the general public were present, then?" "So it appears." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed charge against him will break down." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like affair. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Of what day?" "Certainly." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "My dear Holmes!" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the works. "'Yes, sir.' as this. Pray let me have the details." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "If I can be of use." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, you came in." ago." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so the window, rose as we entered. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may for and were ordered to this address. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "No, my brougham is waiting." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son down in his armchair and closing his eyes. new duties?' away into the river." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black nonsense.' known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Eh? What was that?" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I ventilator." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. one which it was hard to resist. "'A dozen yards or so.' about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project I have it here in my museum." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in mystery may be cleared along those lines." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "So I am. Very much so." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for touch that coronet?' things are very often connected not with the larger but with the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Did you observe the colour?" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Pray do so." a very grave face. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few lost his Christmas dinner." upon an income of about 60 pounds." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is depend upon my doing so.' He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Could he throw no light?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution here." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the in the port of London."