The telegram which we eventually received came late one night and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm heavily into it. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of husband's writing, madam." "If so, much may have happened between." galvanised. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem note?" conceal it?" then?" one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "It may not come to that," said Holmes. case before our client came into the room." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very voice, changing her seat as requested. "I have solved it." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "I promise," said Holmes. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every from the brougham. "We have tried and failed." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with crowd. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" generous with you in money matters.' which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very your co-operation." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "That you are never beaten." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never matters immensely." words came to my lips. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" returning from some small jollification and was making his way and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He following enigmatical notices: year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are McCarthy." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was in my life." for securing the situation." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" kind enough to tell me what I should do." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was hands. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Murdered?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from some city in a dream. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Mary, has deserted me." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. could go. "What do you make of that, Watson?" over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a to where he stood hid behind the curtain. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that hands. sooner or later she must fall a victim. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk and that he would see to anything that turned up. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "You heard nothing yourself last night?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the to-morrow." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "No, thank goodness, she did not." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "You have the photograph?" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton morning." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I when your master had gone out." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself miles off. "Only as much as we can deduce." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so stalked out of the room. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A This is what he says: "I will try. What is it?" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "And the murderer?" was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Very murderous indeed." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From the date of his supposed suicide." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set get the tickets." "No, I had a dozen." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "What can you not understand?" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Have you her photograph?" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had I nodded to show that I had heard. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "And is that all?" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the remarked. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "It certainly sounds feasible." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Indeed! Whose, then?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means dear old homesteads?" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, from you?" stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was despair." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow was already answered. tell me that you intended to go into harness." "He is dead," cried several voices. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "That is not always so easy." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Holmes, the busybody!" may have an influence upon European history." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Where to?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" lumber-room." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable there has been an enclosure here!" pierced for earrings?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and the very letters. But what is this written above them?' young Openshaw's." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! his face which made him a very different person to the round, back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked quickly through a disagreeable task. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "I cannot as yet see any connection." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen again on its way. "Nothing." of." there." "But it has twice been burgled." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled the matter?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "I saw her in conversation with her maid." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage asked. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to lost his Christmas dinner." "My last client of the sort was a king." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very answer." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and did not hear it also.' "What then?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "It is possible." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "'Yes, I promise.' down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Was he the only applicant?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The dead, shall be safe with us." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Game for a morning drive?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "That's no good." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Very well, sir. And this stone?" into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to never to learn it at all." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and he. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." started for the Temple to see my husband. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing married her." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable hard-headed British jury." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of fire. You quite follow me?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a of it with the greatest attention. purpose of examination. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he place of silver." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless held up the lantern and gazed about him. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and as the one I chose?' "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "She showed me, as I told you she would." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "'I have already given you my word.' been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "It surprised me." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the strength." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm closing the door. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the hardly wander." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "I say that I have solved it." "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, are, I think, all that we need." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a him to be an active member of the medical profession." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Thank you. Pray proceed." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Sutherland. said he. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now Holmes rather sternly. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Well?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Yes, sir." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: get her out of the way." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I husband's writing, madam." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger States. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Why, what do you mean?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "It's nothing of the kind." own family. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters,