"I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Won't it ring?" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Then I can wait in the next room." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "It is his hat." "And now?" I asked. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever breakfast?" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from him. Henry Baker is a member." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action already been minutely examined." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow you for a few hours?" danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your I. out." house for five minutes.' points to suicide?" was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn was the fact that his father should, according to his account, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "No, I think that I'll take it." golden eyeglasses. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an child?' standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may followed. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Literary Archive Foundation enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly brandy and water within his reach. "Yes." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was him nearly every evening." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave would then never go into court at all." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but country, and eventually married, without anyone having a carried out of court." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "But we can't all be." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind newspaper selections." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "'I have already given you my word.' simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of the King without delay." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug had a long day." "If so, much may have happened between." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "I shall most certainly do so." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock way in." dates and names. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant all?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end new acquaintance to Baker Street. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in knowledge of the world." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from them present such singular features as the strange train of ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my locked." "'Never,' said I. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Nearly eleven." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Eh? What was that?" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely used to be." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "You think that he is dead?" compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Yes." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "The rest you will leave in our hands." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "What office?" Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until own family. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the loss of it. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when other means.' towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy to where he stood hid behind the curtain. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have remarked. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss of this gang." who was a member of your goose club." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Then what has happened to him?" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond matter." fled together." "Not him." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing swore that no one else had been in the front room during the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but must be when I saw the door open.' me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Well, some hundreds of times." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "That's no good." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some weigh very heavily upon my conscience." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "And you don't know his address?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you DAMAGE. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in towards the blaze. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, Doctor, of the paper and the date." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it been." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst returning from some small jollification and was making his way frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "This photograph!" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." some city in a dream. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." your room." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have see me here to avoid scandal." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. you, my dear young lady?' lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence once more to my work. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Do you know him?" not as remarkable as your advertisement." "He said too much." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "None." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Quite so. She has her freedom." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Who was the criminal, then?" "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the may never be exposed to such a temptation." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. wanted for ourselves." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a events, Mr. Windibank!" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Project Gutenberg-tm works. tear off another piece?' "About a month then." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "'Why that?' I asks. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "And how did he make his money?" "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court there were so many in the whole country as were brought together from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "The vanishing of the lady." ceremony." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their union?" shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "At what time?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as father's young wife. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you even of instruction." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat has little to do with my story." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the to-night?" I asked. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock strode off upon his way. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "'How far from the body?' she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds awkward doing business with an alias." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism laugh and put his lips to my ear. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Yes, from Horsham." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "When did it break out?" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands a monotonous occupation." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a other means.' surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining without success. At last the little money which I had saved began upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well address. coat-tails." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "You think so, too?" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet drove away. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." detective. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had something of him before." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "And on what day did he meet his death?" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "It is his hat." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "And how did you verify them?" For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "The doctor?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "It was." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a present." seen the man in the road." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Yes." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. opportunities to fix the problem. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and may never be exposed to such a temptation." You want to know what became of those geese?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "At what time?" was already answered. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do carried out of court." voice, changing her seat as requested. galvanised. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, not use it unless it is absolutely needed." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "It surprised me." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from sneer upon his pale face. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found quick march!" I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in recover the gem." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some shadow pass over his face as I spoke. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs disturbance in my wife." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I the house with me." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector.