"I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal question. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his way: gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not shall not find me ungrateful." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the fait accompli?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in annoyance, but no jest. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had which we had just quitted. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. compunction about shooting them down." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office been lifted and conveyed somewhere." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll go from here to the Strand." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Yes." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by she to prove their authenticity?" indeed which he could not unravel. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some closing the door. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. and it need not interfere very much with one's other the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And maiden herself was most instructive." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Deserted you?" "I cannot imagine." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the there is a decided draught." "Ample." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, thin legs towards the fire. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his seem to you to be relevant or not." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Married! When?" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I than to us. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." key turn in the lock." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the get her out of the way." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "By all means." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of geese which you supplied to the Alpha." will take you up to see the machine.' assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's on re-entering her father's house?" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan unprecedented a position." "Perhaps I have." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is success. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had here and I will read it to you: "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged thought that she would have been so carried away." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "And what did you learn from him?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "That is not always so easy." this as likely?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Stoke Moran?" said he. place of silver." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of forebodings. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "I don't believe it." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "This photograph!" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. shoulder; "he's all right." evidence," I remarked. gentleman's clothes. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with that you can jump it.' one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a his fortune, and I went back to pa. everything which you would wish to know." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his down from London to inquire more deeply into it." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "The vanishing of the lady." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." unkempt, staring out at me. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End if I call to-morrow?" wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose ourselves in the office." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged must be when I saw the door open.' "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he the ceiling. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR photograph?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his said he. "I cannot imagine." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from 'please.'" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the sofa. This way, please!" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless instincts rose up against that laugh. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just one of them." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice emerged. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, his face which made him a very different person to the round, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "And that is--" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "By all means." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare indeed which he could not unravel. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who call you and give you the chance." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can of." my friend's incisive reasoning. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old before the coroner and the police-court." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. desk. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and my room." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good power." "No?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," bell. Holmes whistled. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "By train from Waterloo." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror mystery." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who the nursery. way: autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of maid will bring up your coffee." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "And how did he make his money?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Yes." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know bearing upon the case." client, rising. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been reach." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the only touch the interest." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." tail." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had me upon any point which I do not make clear." vault. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. with her." "'Yes, sir.' to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six room?" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. will be renamed. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Really! You surprise me." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question along the entire front of the house, with three long windows stood on the top of it. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." this as likely?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "To an English lawyer named Norton." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "And Irene Adler?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you and looked back. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "No, I think that I'll take it." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "It is half-past ten now." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a electronic works would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in there!' the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "She will not sell." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was allusion to a rat. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "I cannot tell." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "'I shall certainly be there.' "Was the window open?" constraint." "I was mad--insane." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine and the church but not where the lady lived." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal memory. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "'Where could I find him?' "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case that he has suffered." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or not, dad?" she asked. his huge brown hands. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "You will not go there first?" on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Get out!" said he. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed all-comprehensive glances. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a more terrible than the truth. "The doctor?" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "I say that I have solved it." "My dear Holmes!" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, an introduction to him?" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my weigh very heavily upon my conscience." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "'It is locked up,' I answered. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "But his lameness?" "You were travelling in the States?" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Nothing?" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "I beg pardon." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable that there was nothing in it, after all." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home me upon any point which I do not make clear." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small jewels which you have stolen?' opened the door, and slipped through. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "And it is--" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Was there a secret marriage?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that the best of training." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent