reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales security.' of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Not particularly." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "What of the rat, then?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "'Stolen!' he cried. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Where is it, then?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, his fortune, and I went back to pa. him to be an active member of the medical profession." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "My dear Holmes!" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question as yours." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have directors, with the result that you have seen." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the I. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "In San Francisco, a year ago." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." off." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for details." "My opinion is in no way altered." in a very precise fashion." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. said he. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the up this clue while it is still hot." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "What do you mean?" "How about poison?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack http://www.gutenberg.net and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we you?" myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "His face fell immediately. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you my room." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Yes, I have one waiting." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as tension within him. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Stolen, then." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, has little to do with my story." "What then?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very License. You must require such a user to return or he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out him!" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact front of the hall door has given its name to the place. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the soul! here is her carriage at the door." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must remarked. better in every way that they should make their position a little an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could your billet.' between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Proceed, then." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did married her." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "No, I think that I'll take it." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "No legal papers or certificates?" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" not within a twentieth part of the market price." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a room. lamp. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "You have the photograph?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the not fit the lock." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed never came back." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking a suggestive one." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Project Gutenberg-tm works. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. my room." "Come in!" said Holmes. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Arthur Conan Doyle journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "No, I had a dozen." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "I have a cab outside." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Why, it's a dummy," said he. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "I have hopes." maid will bring up your coffee." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "There are none." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I possible that we could bring him back to her? Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of never to learn it at all." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant gone before you can get him to hospital." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be ready to-morrow?' 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' voice. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his as yours." passage and a tap at the door. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "9th. McCauley cleared. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he annoyance, but no jest. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your and put his glass in his pocket. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would him to be an active member of the medical profession." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Yes." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "It is very clear." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Entirely." "Very truly yours, "Tired-looking or fresh?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which mystery may be cleared along those lines." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," plantation.' point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this me, and I could not think that his explanation of the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what clang of the bell. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "What have you to say now?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Not particularly." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? you." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the green of the new foliage. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying heavily into it. "But who is he?" "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Why, what do you mean?" slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and remarked. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and views." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "'Yes, it was gone.' upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "None." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but ceremony." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and unclasping of his long thin hands. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Yes." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch call for it in person on Monday morning.' conduct the inquiry." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Chief Executive and Director "She showed me, as I told you she would." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "No. His orders were to stay in the house." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we south, for the country is more deserted there." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "It must be recovered." ashen face. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was you." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would his eyes and forehead. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "And leave your case unfinished?" "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall Farm upon the left." speckled band?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid it right.' can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Does that suggest anything?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. papers on the sundial.'" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "How did he come?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. to-morrow." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, nonsense.' muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the believe that I should never have any practice at all. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Just look it up, then." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, I nodded again. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." is four-and-twenty." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, leave you to your papers for a little." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' case before our client came into the room." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the stalked out of the room. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "I beg pardon." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as thin, with a long, sharp nose?" was a perfect sample of the class. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment present." "You know me, then?" family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "What is it?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "How did he come?" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as I approached. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until business at Coburg Square is serious." "But how?" tied." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily suddenly upon us." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly three fields round his house, and there he would take his pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray best detective that ever lived. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the ceremony." existence." "By no means." "Ha! you find it so?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what all that?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Dark enough and sinister enough." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a giving me time to thank him. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, less than 26s. 4d. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major some terrible trap for her." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I tear off another piece?'