tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must You want to know what became of those geese?" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "No, but the enclosure is." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "And did you observe any change in her then?" 'please.'" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Then what has happened to him?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Pray do so." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the have got?" three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Countess of Morcar's?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated call the police, let the police find what they can.' sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in you understand?" "Have you her photograph?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor comes from the middle window." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing to miss it." "We have tried and failed." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "But you can know nothing of this?" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding as this. Pray let me have the details." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be national property. I was determined that the law should have its of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by to tell." "I cannot tell." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "What are they?" is now desirous of getting those letters back." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as o'clock is it?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "But of what society?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any gone. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "How many? I don't know." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it back alive. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which with some details as to your case." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in just ask you whether you had heard it.' idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a tail." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into considering the formidable letters which were received by himself The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after rooms." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "I am still in the dark." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge putting in the horse. morning." to his chemical studies. gbnewby@pglaf.org "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow unprofitable." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "I would give my fortune to have them back." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in fear." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might Project Gutenberg-tm works. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both troubles have been weighing upon his mind. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to me." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having wedding?" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that on in his house." "That is it on the dressing-table." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some your billet.' know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear congenial hunt. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has have accepted such a situation. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "None." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "What?" suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I the window, rose as we entered. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the made his money." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "I say that I have solved it." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His will not take me long to tell. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Oh, fresh and glossy." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns indiscretion." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Lee, in the county of Kent." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the directly by questioning you." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project American. Then who could this American be, and why should he with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and some place of shelter and let the county police know what has public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, said I. this Miss Turner." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the chemical work which was so dear to him. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "You have compromised yourself seriously." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in the bottom.' for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "'Entirely.' "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as on in his house." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that and it need not interfere very much with one's other "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that you." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her nothing with him." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough legal crime." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." this unhappy family?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "My own seal." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of easy-going way." nonsense.' his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" particular state visit http://pglaf.org "But you were on a friendly footing?" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save asked. "Certainly." had a long day." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of to-morrow." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "It is possible." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "I promise," said Holmes. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the gives a meaning to it." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with long narrative. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Mary, has deserted me." meanly of me." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Do you receive much company?" he asked. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of side. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. man. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a http://www.gutenberg.net "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." knowledge of the world." place of silver." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "How often?" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, coat-tails." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, advice." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute suggested at once that there must be a communication between the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had was already answered. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such with the outside air!" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where or in danger--" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were village inn over there?" became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said developed." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "And how did he make his money?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "What then?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "How do you know, then?" memory. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in business came to an end." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, bell. Holmes whistled. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the tail." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Certainly, madam." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "What of the rat, then?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "I will, Miss Turner." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the forecastle of an emigrant ship. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" was it brought him the coronet? luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, down from London to inquire more deeply into it." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every status with the IRS. do.' Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or the stable lane now." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Stolen." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he served to weaken the effect. his fortune, and I went back to pa. advice." appeared upon the scene." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "I cannot say that I have." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking voice, changing her seat as requested. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "One horse?" interjected Holmes. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which passage and a tap at the door. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark pressing in one house as in another. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me behind me. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin one of the states of the Union." written, and locked the door of the office after me. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "'What do you call purely nominal?' brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her narrative." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Yes, it would be as well." it with his own hands." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "So I heard. You have him here?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Where did you address your letters, then?" facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just my special province." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Doctor, of the paper and the date." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the held up the lantern and gazed about him. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Which surely he restored to their owner?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too bears upon the case?" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this delighted to hear it," he said. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept few hundred pounds.' "And what then?" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him."