in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "You have compromised yourself seriously." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers out of this horrible affair." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Why did you beat the pavement?" lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, completely overtopped every other consideration that we both night.' said he. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very guilty one." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "But what will you do?" Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." to-night." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "It is his hat." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Because he was handy and would come cheap." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "And did you observe any change in her then?" unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. opened the door, and slipped through. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "And now?" He raised his hand. acquaintance?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "What then?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." is four-and-twenty." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, I was concerned in it." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled behind me. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this companion. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Not him." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. his forehead." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about address. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "I am sure." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Awake, Watson?" he asked. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was meant it for the best. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he despair." anything to do with the matter?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "'Yes.' younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. of receipt of the work. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there bonnet, and went out." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Get out!" said he. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come depend upon your compliance." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what skylight. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found evidence," I remarked. awaited us upon the table. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "'Ten to two.' of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "On Monday." sparkled upon his finger. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, have had none more fantastic than this." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. I nodded to show that I had heard. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH place of silver." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a strength in the others." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the conceal it?" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Witness: I must still refuse. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "And it is--" "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no enter Dr. Roylott's room." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into questionable one." Stoke Moran." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "I have come for advice." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we whether it answered to the description of any of their became a certainty. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "What will you do, then?" "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You the roots. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other have been better. It is all right." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no strength." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did telegram would bring me down to your help." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the salesman. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Was your sister dressed?" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and chance at all." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." to you." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. sake, don't!" national property. I was determined that the law should have its "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "A thing like a cleaver," said he. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen at once, for I have only half an hour." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to and I shall be with you presently." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the Cross for the Continent." "Did he not advertise?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but again on its way. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort situation." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest made him keep the appointment." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this placed his cuttings. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing recover the gem." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in present." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the to some other building. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing carriage. It was a chestnut." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; mystery." have been better. It is all right." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "And now?" I asked. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Proceed, then." of receipt of the work. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them interested in these little problems, and since you are good his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Stoke Moran." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "But how will you look?" "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Ample." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Eyford." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "My dear Holmes!" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." noting anything else of interest. kindly on the shoulder. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round October 9, 1890. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her back into the street. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." directly by questioning you." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager lost his Christmas dinner." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "How do you know, then?" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his him nearly every evening." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Seven!" I answered. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that was it brought him the coronet? "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that way in." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was views." little adventures." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "The gentleman I describe." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about fuss that is made over them." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were more solid." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Pray do so." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "I am still in the dark." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "From his hat?" little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter Young McCarthy must be got off, however." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "I say that I have solved it." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked keep the flames under. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "He might." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had suspect him." "It is no ordinary one." "Very. But will he see it?" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white joking. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt go back?" nonsense.' "Did you become engaged then?" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, pictures, libraries, or plate. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the the stones. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon it right.' gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at as he remarks, very much against the son." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm there." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Yes." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that nights." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the of a light. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and few hundred pounds.' English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "He might." shaken than I had ever seen him. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Your French gold?" up this clue while it is still hot." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too felt?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the companion. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, business." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon beyond words. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much dramatic, in fact." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. dear old homesteads?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from felt?" above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an For additional contact information: at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will hands. business in the City. She little knew what. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, were new raised from a basin. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must