"And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in hour?' "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never works. "What, then, did Peterson do?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand goes." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest past. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." to-morrow." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir you, my dear young lady?' what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open bill, which interests me deeply." sufficient punishment." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has returning from some small jollification and was making his way waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, retorted upon me, and I on you." lectures into a series of tales." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "'Very good.' country, and eventually married, without anyone having a impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was my former friend and companion. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she lamp. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions seem to you to be relevant or not." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "She told me to ask you." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Then the page we have seen--" always that they were such commands as a lady might with creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, directors, with the result that you have seen." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying knowledge of the world." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you guilty parties." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite vanished into the darkness. clang of the bell. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the will be renamed. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and nice household for a young lady." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the new duties?' dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "On your arm?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous weary and pale-looking. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which it means?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "If I can be of use." "My photograph." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little matter." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this in his power. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "And help." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Proceed, then." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that she has been waylaid. There has been no result." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "And from a noble client?" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and your own bird, so if you wish--" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, pierced for earrings?" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "But to whom?" to miss it." her also." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" residence of the great financier. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." unclasping of his long thin hands. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are photograph?" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. chill to my heart. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" maid will bring up your coffee." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we the loss of it. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "'Entirely.' had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his existence." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from undoubtedly my uncle's." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "If so, much may have happened between." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit security.' "Oh, yes, easily." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest was shining brightly. friend's singular character. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any lids now and glanced across at his visitor. carriage. It was a chestnut." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." crowd. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much words came to my lips. I am not easy in my mind about them." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." bird I ate is country bred." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of in him." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless happened." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open there when the Rucastles went away." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Yes." do.' at my remark. in the dead of the night?' of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, highly," said Holmes. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "That is not always so easy." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "What can it mean?" I gasped. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "We must sit without light. He would see it through the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have lips." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "And why?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "I would pay ten." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk I was concerned in it." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "And why in hopes?" advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Holmes' thin, eager face. to have been novel and of interest." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided o'clock is it?" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I have an American origin." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." me have 200 pounds?' may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when more terrible than the truth. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Nearly eleven." "'Then let me do so?' him!" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue his face. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." better in every way that they should make their position a little indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Her father is very rich?" eat it." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "I promise," said Holmes. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "I know where it is." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "I say it is." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the handed it to him. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness footfalls from the street. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are again on its way. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ enough to aid us in our search." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and place no limit on the sum I may draw." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "I am to be neutral?" standing smiling on the door-step. visitors." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you opportunities to fix the problem. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A distinguish the words: "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Entirely." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his strange features which were associated with the two crimes which the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I again on its way. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which believe that I should never have any practice at all. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I me where it went to?" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk at my remark. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Clair, of Lee." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in and laid it on the table. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Could he throw no light?" tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just envelope. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Then how many are there?" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "How do you know, then?" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." bird I ate is country bred." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to at my remark. official police." skylight. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have since then to throw any light upon what became of him." will take you up to see the machine.' significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance papers must be those that are destroyed.' reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences woven round him. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, rose-bushes. one's self under obligations.' shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of hour?' fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project carried out of court." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Pray continue your narrative." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to had picked up in the wood. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. have one." suspect him." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was begun to whiten, even as mine has." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to I held the little printed slip to the light. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is business matters.' untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "It surprised me." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that strong and stiff." appointment with me for six o'clock?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Sutherland. was feeling which was the fattest.' Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker