the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined tension within him. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "By no means." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second jewels which you have stolen?' after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he an introduction to him?" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "'And the work?' difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "You have compromised yourself seriously." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "By train from Waterloo." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" are windows in it, of course?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and perplexity from it to my illustrious client. started for the Temple to see my husband. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Do you go out much in society?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he she to prove their authenticity?" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you since then to throw any light upon what became of him." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the generous with you in money matters.' "He is still with you, I presume?" footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler three of the beryls in it, was missing. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "One of the highest in England." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and closely." public press." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "But you have hopes?" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." drove away. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 it." with some details as to your case." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from burst into a hearty fit of laughter. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his carriage. It was a chestnut." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." meant it for the best. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "I have come for advice." yet." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project his knees, staring into the fire. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must own family. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir already been minutely examined." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your national property. I was determined that the law should have its "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped examine." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She nice household for a young lady." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "No, thank goodness, she did not." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Yes." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Have you it here?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him train from Paddington which would bring you there at about of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" pictures, libraries, or plate. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it business?" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To to surprise her." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "No." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I papers." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the little adventures." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were carpenter." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to maid will bring up your coffee." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that on re-entering her father's house?" ready to-morrow?' "I don't believe it." Holmes' face clouded over. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I outbreak?" you in your example." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the to some other building. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her it." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "I say it is." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "What! You do not mean bodies?" residence of the great financier. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, brandy and water within his reach. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never on in his house." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed absorbing." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could dramatic, in fact." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "I say it is." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty you." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is is acting for the best. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I hurried by. begun to whiten, even as mine has." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "No, my brougham is waiting." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much without a word or a look. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "I say it is." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in secret." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 his face which made him a very different person to the round, second." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "'Entirely.' "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "But how could you guess what the motive was?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out she used." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he ago." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who words came to my lips. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "'Stolen!' he cried. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. chambers. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "How do you know, then?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and character. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I particular state visit http://pglaf.org "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Have you good authority for what you say?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "How about poison?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Certainly." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. himself in a perplexing position. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Mrs. Toller serenely. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive back to my heart. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my of them has the shutters up.' the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should upon the sideboard." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather became a certainty. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the sufficient punishment." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the such attractions and accomplishments?' end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was carried out of court." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness http://gutenberg.net/license). threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Not yet." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "And Irene Adler?" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "The best possible." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a enough to aid us in our search." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Why did you pick him?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At could not have written that. It is the German who is so Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and the side-table." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' most interesting one." legal crime." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment how narrow had been my escape. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Nothing?" would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "I cannot imagine." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "It is possible." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Doctor, of the paper and the date." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "It certainly sounds feasible." noting anything else of interest. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "And the murderer?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I she might be summoned. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Sutherland. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had had died away into the silence from which it rose. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "You horrify me." there has been an enclosure here!" "I cannot think." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' other lovers by making love himself." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." future lives." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you must compliment you." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "It is solved." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Countess of Morcar's?" least a fellow-countryman. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "I was sure that I might rely on you." IS with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Well, it is a possible supposition." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET he bowed and left the room without another word. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and whether it answered to the description of any of their refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Certainly." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "It is very clear." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact straighten it?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me imbecility!" he cried. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" shall use the carriage to-night."