breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events of the one which your family is now devouring." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for lamp. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the his eyes and forehead. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he of a light. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the her also." "That was it, sir." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated interest. They are important, you understand, without being glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at colonel looking down at me. Sutherland. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Yes, it would be as well." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I directors have had misgivings upon the subject." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with DAMAGE. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom said Mr. Holder. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with or in danger--" was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Witness: Nothing definite. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at to-night?" I asked. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa awaited us upon the table. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Sutherland?" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, villagers almost as much as their master. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. the stable lane now." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you imbecility!" he cried. never will be, entirely cleared up. my special province." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and suspect him." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. became a certainty. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is business in the City. She little knew what. fuss that is made over them." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Nothing." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, leave you to your papers for a little." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my one of the states of the Union." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from front of the hall door has given its name to the place. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and beyond words. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Where is it, then?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner in one or two places in England?' certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." fatally injured? Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' drawing your inferences." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Of Friday, June 19th." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "What, then?" gives a meaning to it." cheerful." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, companion. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "She walked into the breakfast-room." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you seen the man in the road." in my life." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary get the tickets." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Then you may be so with me." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "I cannot tell." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Yes, that is the Crown." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more at a side door. and capable of preserving a secret.' neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how ashen face. that "And it is--" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a chance at all." "But I am all in the dark." "None. Neville wrote those words." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "If so, much may have happened between." enter into my head. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that the so-precious time, but come!' bird of prey. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am handed it to him. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Then, as to money?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Certainly." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no our word." round and wave him away like that.' "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. hurried away. tell him that I know him to be innocent." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." tapping his fingers upon the table. question. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something very old mansion. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "You have compromised yourself seriously." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "You don't mind breaking the law?" yourselves in at night?" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "But how?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Project Gutenberg-tm works. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the she might be summoned. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the you do it in twenty minutes!' that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see night.' said he. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. man. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner again before evening." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "You think so, too?" me. You must get home instantly and act." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "So it appears." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. status with the IRS. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "About a month then." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Proceed, then." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the make me his representative both with the servants and with the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "'Most admirably.' done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the in my life." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the ordinary clothes on?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Mrs. Toller serenely. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had your Highness to the police-station?" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." I was concerned in it." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate simple cases which are so extremely difficult." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something you." "Stolen, then." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and of it with the greatest attention. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I McCarthy's innocence. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. sparkled upon his finger. drove away. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you never will be, entirely cleared up. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while do." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it you came in." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our morning." forehead. status with the IRS. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Perhaps we may make them less so." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" I nodded to show that I had heard. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Certainly, madam." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "What have you to say now?" papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the asked. "Witness: I must still refuse. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told light and attacked it." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." followed. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. these bleak autumnal evenings." "No." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter chemical work which was so dear to him. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor with you?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "I answered that I had not. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable me have 200 pounds?' "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "My dear Holmes!" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out said he. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all point our research must commence, and we will begin it by fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the depend upon your compliance." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, papers on the sundial.'" "Where did you address your letters, then?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who not use it unless it is absolutely needed." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a existence." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a