One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, the one as in the other." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "But you would not advise me to refuse?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to awkward doing business with an alias." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "By all means." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "No." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to yourselves in at night?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for such person." His name is Francis Prosper." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the my former friend and companion. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Two days later this same performance was gone through under again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the coroner come to?" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "What office?" his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "It certainly sounds feasible." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my o'clock is it?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR light and attacked it." and put his glass in his pocket. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my chill to my heart. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "'Certainly,' I answered. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "VIOLET HUNTER." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Yes." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that when you have done it." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, all that?" know what is wrong with it.' breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "I do." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "You are all wrong." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he less than 26s. 4d. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock call for it in person on Monday morning.' Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, once more for Briony Lodge. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "I will, Miss Turner." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. in a very precise fashion." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "That you are never beaten." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Who by?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from straightened it out again. the loss of it. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." results." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, straightened it out again. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. acquaintance?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss the matter." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told my room." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced throat." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "But she will refuse." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and During two years I have had three consultations and one small I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Clair, of Lee." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method face and glided from the room. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Dirty?" interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted events, Mr. Windibank!" My friend smiled. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "No, finished." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent said I. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. fear." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "And leave your case unfinished?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of that you saw all that I did." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from or in danger--" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Where, then, is my wife?" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "We have tried and failed." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "What then?" "And how have you succeeded?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as been lifted and conveyed somewhere." bonnet, and went out." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do words came to my lips. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock without a word or a look. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "And what then?" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" II. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and imbecility!" he cried. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that him and tried to hold him back. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece congratulate you again." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "And help." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent pierced for earrings?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "I know where it is." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and fear." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Of what?" fire. You quite follow me?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "In the cells." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "But how?" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, assist you in forming an opinion." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Yes, sir." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "What office?" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "What have you to say now?" once more. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Yesterday." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I The King stared at him in amazement. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added than to us. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "And it is--" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, trifles." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst tassel actually lying upon the pillow. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know and all of them with the keenest interest. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, easy-going way." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "'Tell me all about it,' said I. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your his face which made him a very different person to the round, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Upon what point?" had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. charge against him will break down." to-night." o'clock is it?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he begun to whiten, even as mine has." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "He disappeared so suddenly." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. about here speaks of his kindness to him." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my writers could invent nothing more crude." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in go back?" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Texas, I think." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Nothing." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "That is it on the dressing-table." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" my secret was safe in his possession. of receipt of the work. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, come either from the window or the door. My attention was is now desirous of getting those letters back." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, that he will be back before evening." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Yes, certainly." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked were wasted." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at written, and locked the door of the office after me. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. http://gutenberg.net/license). "You think so, too?" feature." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Married! When?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help empty. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of go from here to the Strand." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "He is dead," cried several voices. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who corner of the building. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the dear old homesteads?" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From and put his glass in his pocket. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then used to be." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. that you can jump it.' Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes his forehead." lumber-room." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "I never have." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for never will be, entirely cleared up. "Ten will be early enough." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "What of the rat, then?" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note,