English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as most important business. It is probable that he will be away all chemical work which was so dear to him. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. the nursery. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." have accepted such a situation. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should this unhappy family?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side kindly on the shoulder. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by said I. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "I warn you that they are very incomplete." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story as he folded up the epistle. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "But what is it you wish?" low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried three fields round his house, and there he would take his must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but before the coroner and the police-court." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Your sister is dead, then?" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson mystery." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another look upon these things in a different way." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a could go. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. footfalls from the street. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would Munro.' "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, had formerly been in part my own. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we this as likely?" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the as he remarks, very much against the son." started for the Temple to see my husband. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes question you as to those details which seem to me to be most with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official morning." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the to-morrow." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Not yet." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small the stones. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken the window, rose as we entered. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Pray let us have it, for all that." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. know that the truth is known." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "By train from Waterloo." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had along the entire front of the house, with three long windows to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Yes?" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "I am still in the dark." his huge brown hands. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "I answered that I had not. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come I approached. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness said I. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "But she will refuse." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "'Yes, I promise.' "Why did you beat the pavement?" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Precisely." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "But his lameness?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "I have solved it." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." just called myself is not exactly my own." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a should be so warm over such a trifle." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about said he. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice weary and pale-looking. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible long narrative. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "'You cannot say what it was?' "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to laugh and put his lips to my ear. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. are windows in it, of course?" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his some water from a caraffe. lost nothing by them." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Ah!" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Always." "How did he come?" you, my dear young lady?' hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive train.' "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried second." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had excitement. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low you." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Yes." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society directly by questioning you." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He fact, we may call it conclusive." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that You want to know what became of those geese?" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident grasp, he hurried from the room. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, III. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you indeed happy." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to friend's singular character. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out little adventures." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down golden eyeglasses. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Was he the only applicant?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "But not more so than I to find you." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! followed. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "He is dead," cried several voices. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some our word." "But he might be a bachelor." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said speckled band?" which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Why? What do you mean?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "No." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "It was an hour's good drive." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but this poor creature." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "I am all attention, madam." get the tickets." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "I was certainly surprised to find you there." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove village inn over there?" equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His his huge brown hands. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Then what has happened to him?" Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "What! Had he lost his wife?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "So I heard. You have him here?" thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "I think that it is very probable." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Did your wife hear all this?" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "One?" speckled band?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." towards the blaze. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." you." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Nothing." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses following enigmatical notices: "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads was feeling which was the fattest.' "He slept on the premises." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The sit on the left-hand side of the driver." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his minor matters until to-morrow." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the client, rising. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven crime." the inquest, and which are worth considering." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and door?" discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. thought that she would have been so carried away." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "'Tell me all about it,' said I. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" For additional contact information: than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence you do it in twenty minutes!' Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something at once, for I have only half an hour." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Stoke Moran?" said he. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Very truly yours, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Come in!" said Holmes. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty DAMAGE. or in danger--" the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of gentleman's clothes. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is your billet.' man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As possible that we could bring him back to her? about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "I shall be delighted." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." closing the door. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Eh? What was that?" vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Because he was handy and would come cheap." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "I am to be neutral?" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully business?" any more." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the bled considerably." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "My dear Holmes!" voice. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "By no means." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he of the one which your family is now devouring." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "'And what salary do you ask?' "It goes to the housekeeper's room." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly brought there to personate someone, and the real person is so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous