"Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. have been better. It is all right." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Then, how do you know?" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be been shamefully used." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "And now?" I asked. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the highly," said Holmes. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Surrey." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it one's self under obligations.' hurried away. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly be best to do. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "She told me to ask you." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "You have but to name it." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "One horse?" interjected Holmes. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback the coronet in his hand?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Of what?" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." to a light-house. "It was." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "To an end?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true certainly not very gracious." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the nursery. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should cheerful." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been cheerful." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took to-night?" I asked. the coronet in his hands?" you, my dear young lady?' in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to It may be so in this case, also." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a o'clock is it?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor lectures into a series of tales." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled outsides of the windows. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "And your father? Did you tell him?" your bag." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have anything to do with the matter?" moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. you do it in twenty minutes!' hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have said I. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet again before evening." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." good-night and bustled off upon her way. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "How did he come?" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Well?" surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs pressing in one house as in another. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the depend upon my doing so.' when you have done it." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "'In my own bureau.' for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "VIOLET HUNTER." to change my dress. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Not I." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself place, I think that there is good ground to think that the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR politicians who had been sent down from the North. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." himself. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, read over the extraordinary announcement. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "It was." lost nothing by them." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he 'please.'" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and giving me time to thank him. not, dad?" she asked. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so good for you to do.' shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "No, I am descending." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes foresight and the moral retrogression?" hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I your most interesting statement." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, II. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "And I." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "No. What a strange idea!" and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing http://gutenberg.net/license). that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Entirely." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds I am not easy in my mind about them." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about strange features which were associated with the two crimes which completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable as he folded up the epistle. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. What do you deduce from it?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "You horrify me." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the the coroner come to?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a tell them apart.' when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "I know where it is." tell him that I know him to be innocent." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other would then never go into court at all." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in thin, with a long, sharp nose?" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at there." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his generous with you in money matters.' "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Precisely." here and I will read it to you: I approached. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I second window is the one that I jumped from." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Yes." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. works. death." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from business came to an end." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "But how will you look?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" see a sister of mine apply for." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" which our visitor detailed to us. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, was not a bird to be seen there. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Thank you. And your address?" "Well, some hundreds of times." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is most interesting one." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "You don't mind breaking the law?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "What office?" "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet asked with his eyes open. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "What are they?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Heh?' Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that the one as in the other." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "I see no marks." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of only touch the interest." humiliation." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the eavesdroppers?' lost nothing by them." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." into the bag, and made for the door. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his disappearance of the bride.'" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from questionable one." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly one or two very singular points about this room. For example, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "No more words. Get out!" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." this man was intellectual?" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought way in everything. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. dramatic, in fact." "But his left-handedness." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other lids now and glanced across at his visitor. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Ten will be early enough." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, key turn in the lock." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain with her." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on few hundred pounds.' this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Yes, at the mines." "What is it, then--a fire?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's over his head with a sweet womanly caress. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two them, and came down just as you departed. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms forebodings. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "'Entirely.' "Not in a good cause." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "I should wish to." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. is a common subject for conversation. "In heaven's name, what for?" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not get the tickets." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, cost them two and thirty pounds." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Was she in good spirits?" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to ceremony." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "And how did you verify them?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of girl said." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, gbnewby@pglaf.org "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it prove to be little relation between the different incidents of cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with fuss that is made over them." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Nothing." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "I cannot as yet see any connection." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, any." in. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to from you?" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman business in the City. She little knew what. "Yes, certainly." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes.