had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "No, I am descending." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to and laid it on the table. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand said he. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "It looks newer than the other things?" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was felt?" "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "But what harm can there be in that?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "'Yes, it was gone.' upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Yes, certainly." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "The knees of his trousers." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" and a shock of very red hair. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking evidence," I remarked. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Of Friday, June 19th." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." and inquire as to the address." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are certainly do as you advise." "In answer to an advertisement." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." the ceiling. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Proceed, then." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. I took the paper from him and read as follows: adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "And why?" Leadenhall Street--and--" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and in one or two places in England?' the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the to affect your life." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "The gentleman I describe." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Precisely so. But how--" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed crowd. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the from you?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His you understand?" from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop already referred to. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Two days later this same performance was gone through under We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" from the brougham. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." only touch the interest." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some him." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "No." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or business?" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no had died away into the silence from which it rose. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a soul! here is her carriage at the door." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the where we are going." distinguish the words: desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the hard-headed British jury." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as me. You must get home instantly and act." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "I should like to see him very much." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had down from London to inquire more deeply into it." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Street. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "And how?" was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger which I could not give. He asked for Alice. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the straightened it out again. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should this as likely?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk compunction about shooting them down." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. you?' result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave during the last few years, and there are many noble families to window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The everything which you would wish to know." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of enter into my head. "None." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Have you it here?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Very well, sir. And this stone?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Where did you address your letters, then?" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at relation between them, and what the object of his repeated floor. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the spare." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he as yours." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. salesman. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a an introduction to him?" Holmes." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that just called myself is not exactly my own." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the a very grave face. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "That's no good." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church he died? insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both more terrible than the truth. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the chance at all." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a me." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture Munro.' "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "And is that all?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony discontent upon his features. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not conceal it?" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning to where he stood hid behind the curtain. the very morning of the wedding." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. question," said Holmes, smiling. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs asked with his eyes open. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses locked. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "And you can do nothing until then?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Why did you beat the pavement?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Yesterday." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "We have tried and failed." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with a very grave face. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock row." "Well, it is a possible supposition." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. your billet.' been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with even so self-evident a thing as that." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "The landlord of the Alpha." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had following enigmatical notices: exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your to that open window." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Then the page we have seen--" the devil!" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few without success. At last the little money which I had saved began importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "But I am all in the dark." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I round with crates and massive boxes. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the cup of tea. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Yes, from Horsham." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I enter into my head. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Not I." less than 26s. 4d. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land business in the City. She little knew what. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is the ceiling. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "No, I had a dozen." "Just look it up, then." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, looking up at the numbers of the houses." "The doctor?" "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "No legal papers or certificates?" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "The best possible." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "You have the photograph?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "I warn you that they are very incomplete." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "I am in hopes that she does." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a drove away. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "No, I think that I'll take it." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an burst out into a roar of laughter. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. other means.' him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the observed. key turn in the lock." best detective that ever lived. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "I beg pardon." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my retorted upon me, and I on you." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. until night should bring an explanation. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally giving me time to thank him. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a delighted to hear it," he said. people in all walks of life. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "'Certainly not. But why?' lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal strong reason behind." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "No, I am descending." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use very peculiar words of the dying woman?" LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear and laid it on the table. "Only as much as we can deduce." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "What office?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the business." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," secret." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "I shall be delighted." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the it." carriage. It was a chestnut." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. his face which made him a very different person to the round, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to better in every way that they should make their position a little and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "In which, sir?" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some to-night?" I asked. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine must be when I saw the door open.' police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, of a light. entirely lost his self-respect." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "'There is a drive, then?' with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this awaited us upon the table. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a