he bowed and left the room without another word. nonsense.' conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Come in!" said he. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "The doctor?" I nodded to show that I had heard. and all of them with the keenest interest. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." a monotonous occupation." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his vague figure huddled up in the darkness. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project may have an influence upon European history." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, fact, we may call it conclusive." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am call for protection in the marriage market, for the present me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he carpenter." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful place no limit on the sum I may draw." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all awaited us upon the table. his forehead." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I it? Did I buy the geese off you?" houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms I have it here in my museum." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as passage and a tap at the door. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "On Monday." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from events, Mr. Windibank!" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if formed some opinion?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "It looks newer than the other things?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. to take care of herself." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came charged with?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "What then?" over with notes and figures. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened records." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" had died away into the silence from which it rose. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate forehead. Sutherland. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune should be taken.' "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, outside. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used horse could go." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and it with his own hands." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "How did you deduce the select?" extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an http://www.gutenberg.net and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Well?" our word." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." DAMAGE. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "You will not go there first?" not, dad?" she asked. "And what did you learn from him?" matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be instituted." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. the bed, and you in that chair." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a believe that I should never have any practice at all. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, him, that man would not have given me such complete information know all about it," he snarled. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the your billet.' workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." not within a twentieth part of the market price." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "I assure you that I am in your hands." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up formed some opinion?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "I have my revolver," said I. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "He disappeared so suddenly." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "That is easily got." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" to-morrow." "Witness: Nothing definite. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, has little to do with my story." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was cigars in the box." man. I know him from the photograph." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried handed it to him. "Then I do not see the point." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell get the tickets." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "But he might be a bachelor." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "But of what society?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did interests were the same as his." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and affection." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell without a word or a look. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Breckinridge is his name." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf down in his armchair and closing his eyes. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. formed some opinion?" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at one which it was hard to resist. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "But his left-handedness." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "How often?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Where does the thing come from?' probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." his forehead." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who generous with you in money matters.' dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this carriage. It was a chestnut." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle remarked. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Entirely." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "But I am all in the dark." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old disappearance of the bride.'" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, tapping his fingers upon the table. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "No good news?" gives a meaning to it." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the speckled band?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the notes," he said. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he congenial hunt. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "The rest you will leave in our hands." security.' "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque shall not find me ungrateful." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as thin legs towards the fire. "That is easily got." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "I am armed." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the weapon." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Yes." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed tension within him. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I throat." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Yes." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet floor. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed seen the man in the road." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a a very grave face. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Well, some hundreds of times." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy III. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "'It is locked up,' I answered. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." foresight and the moral retrogression?" and wait." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "And I say east," said my patient. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she ill-usage at the hands of fortune. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Always." "'What then?' I asked. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in for the market.' was feeling which was the fattest.' manager. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Only as much as we can deduce." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I been with you?" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past prisoner's face. "And from a noble client?" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our ventilator." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Certainly." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "That also I could fathom." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall heavy and sharp instrument." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "You have compromised yourself seriously." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." it." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. enough to aid us in our search." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She hereditary King of Bohemia." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He me upon any point which I do not make clear." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we detective. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Leave Paddington by the 11:15." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic flock.' work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Won't it ring?" there." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "She told me to ask you." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa as noiselessly as she had come. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet individual and becomes the badge of a society." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "No, finished." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and acted in my house last night?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain the Red-headed League." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "My opinion is in no way altered." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "BALLARAT." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so chamber." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid