making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "What! a murderous attack?" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "It is true that I have been generally successful." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the hands. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "No." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "We have tried and failed." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. fluttered off among the others. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in until night should bring an explanation. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." papers must be those that are destroyed.' got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through too. it means?" 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were row." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! the stable lane now." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Married! When?" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. your troubles." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "I guessed as much." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. business at Coburg Square is serious." prison!" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his that I may have something better before very many minutes are a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. to a light-house. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "It was an hour's good drive." "Your sister is dead, then?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of my special province." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "And you can do nothing until then?" "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. some water from a caraffe. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the tapping his fingers upon the table. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Here?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Holmes' room. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "If I can be of use." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips matter." showing my impatience. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "But I have heard all that you have heard." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. least a most suspicious remark." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with come either from the window or the door. My attention was of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the papers on the sundial.'" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded been able to understand it, in a very few words. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Thank you. Pray proceed." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "We have tried and failed." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I leaning back in his chair. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "And did you observe any change in her then?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always and that he would see to anything that turned up. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met strong and stiff." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which touch that coronet?' "And now?" He raised his hand. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Yes, that is the Crown." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack companion quietly. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Was there a secret marriage?" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination singular points about the case. What did the police think of the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us figure." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated records." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel looking up at the numbers of the houses." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "In San Francisco, a year ago." bill, which interests me deeply." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "But to whom?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper there has been an enclosure here!" very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Very well, sir. And this stone?" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and note?" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the at home. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son as this. Pray let me have the details." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." neither fascinating nor artistic." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Frequently." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "I am all attention, madam." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I question," said Holmes, smiling. foresight and the moral retrogression?" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Do you receive much company?" he asked. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "How do you know, then?" to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client in the port of London." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the go back?" "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "And what then?" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I highly," said Holmes. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do go from here to the Strand." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a felt the room to be a little close.' of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR next day. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had gone. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help works. See paragraph 1.E below. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Certainly." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "What then?" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in hair?' him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "My own seal." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to annoyance, but no jest. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Perhaps we may make them less so." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "How did you trace it, then?" "Precisely so. But how--" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning the inquest, and which are worth considering." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which instituted." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Witness: I must still refuse. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, be sorry for having acted so harshly." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down has little to do with my story." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for the bed, and you in that chair." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Entirely." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You at my own good fortune. "No." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my main points of my analysis." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office them, and came down just as you departed. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think I have it here in my museum." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "You have but to name it." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to hard-headed British jury." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, hardly wander." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an You can understand that this register and diary may implicate License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. soul! here is her carriage at the door." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "That sounds a little paradoxical." "But not more so than I to find you." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is is now desirous of getting those letters back." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "It was." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By his cane at the bell-pull. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to is worth.' something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet chair. written, and locked the door of the office after me. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and said he. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the chair. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and business." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a the dangers which encompass me." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so begun to whiten, even as mine has." "What!" he roared. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "I am about to be married." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Watson," he said cordially. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever becomes even more simple." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the is worth.' information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Yes, he did." Dr. Gregory B. Newby handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the you." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at might have a private word with us. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "My last client of the sort was a king." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Why did you beat the pavement?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Not in a good cause." me upon any point which I do not make clear." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been sound at heart." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Witness: It was. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Did you become engaged then?" me." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "What will you say?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Never to return." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "My dear Holmes!" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from