"The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Not particularly." of Fenchurch Street." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we where she found matters as described by the last witness. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed have accepted such a situation. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in been shamefully used." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the be sorry for having acted so harshly." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced with some details as to your case." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he that you wished to speak to me?' "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." fat-encircled eyes. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low copied or distributed: bell. Holmes whistled. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Is he quiet?" voice, changing her seat as requested. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet directors have had misgivings upon the subject." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my three fields round his house, and there he would take his waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another DAMAGE. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we to a light-house. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular matters immensely." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do him, that man would not have given me such complete information "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, time." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Have you good authority for what you say?" nights." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said derbies." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Nothing." "And what then?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who humiliation." "She told me to ask you." crowd. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be least a most suspicious remark." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to are windows in it, of course?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Absolutely none." fait accompli?" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Not him." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, third from London." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret his grey eyes. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may entirely devoid of interest." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "And who is her maid?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Street. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, waste of energy." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in enough to aid us in our search." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his long narrative. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to will not take me long to tell. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of tear off another piece?' matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the chamber." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from that you wished to speak to me?' became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's delirious. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which the room while you explain this matter?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just eavesdroppers?' "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Sutherland. "What is it?" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over and all of them with the keenest interest. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "He is dead," cried several voices. sake, don't!" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Was she in good spirits?" this man was intellectual?" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." of campaign. minor matters until to-morrow." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Well." me upon any point which I do not make clear." coat-tails." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic do.' "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and yet." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and *** START: FULL LICENSE *** Miss Holder?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "'I have heard so.' were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "I am in hopes that she does." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "You forget that I know nothing about it." Pope's Court. "And is that all?" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Surrey." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in suggested at once that there must be a communication between the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured matters immensely." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in the coronet in his hand?" arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "'Yes, sir.' the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, a suggestive one." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "You don't mind breaking the law?" "It is possible." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations even so self-evident a thing as that." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you digesting their breakfasts at home." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Awake, Watson?" he asked. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "He might." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "'Entirely.' to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Could he throw no light?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Thank you. And your address?" crime. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and the devil!" Eyford at 11:15.' where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, dramatic, in fact." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would something of him before." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort key turn in the lock." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "What have you done?" asked Holmes. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a DAMAGE. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "The doctor?" London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "An enemy?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness your billet.' complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "I have a cab outside." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "And that is--" "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through his face which made him a very different person to the round, which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "And you don't know his address?" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which arrested. You then--" low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "And how have you succeeded?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would take the flies, but not before." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Not in a good cause." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce his eyes and forehead. "Was your sister dressed?" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of him. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "How are you getting on?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "And help." "Then you may be so with me." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "But you have hopes?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. do.' "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George particular state visit http://pglaf.org burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "So I am. Very much so." "Absolutely none." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "And why?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of and shall probably return to London by the evening train." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "You will not go there first?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Yes." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few she has been waylaid. There has been no result." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "He disappeared so suddenly." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" the coronet in his hand?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A voice. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "But how?" as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." man. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You my former friend and companion. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone present." awaited us upon the table. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! triumphant cloud from his cigarette. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked six. Come in!" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Yes, I have one waiting." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, the matter." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Do you go out much in society?" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can pictures, libraries, or plate. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between several quiet little villages up there." "I say it is." "My own seal." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low her also." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "But we can't all be." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "What is it?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "You saw the ventilator, too?" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room the tragedy. written. face and glided from the room. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "My stepfather's business papers." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord assist you in forming an opinion." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you a room. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar to have that photograph." "None." and laid it on the table. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." the coronet in his hand?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some one else, I think." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as along the entire front of the house, with three long windows It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." chill to my heart. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she him and tried to hold him back. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly unprecedented a position." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your