"'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "I have solved it." and your relations to her." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading too. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards of Mr. Rucastle's." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Witness: I must still refuse. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him where Mr. Fordham shows you.' profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" unkempt, staring out at me. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child a suggestive one." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way presume?" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I made him keep the appointment." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to Farm upon the left." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "What can it mean?" I gasped. "How did you deduce the select?" address. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "'And the work?' the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with security.' "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. note?" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt lumber-room." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, if I call to-morrow?" shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the together. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely very morning of my second wedding." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin hopeless attempt at recovering them." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "We have tried and failed." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Stoke Moran?" said he. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me chance at all." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the again, where I was soon asleep. absorbing." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, depend upon your compliance." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come best detective that ever lived. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "No legal papers or certificates?" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Entirely." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his searched, without anything being found which could incriminate convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with have one." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in see me here to avoid scandal." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the thirty. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the not fit the lock." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Thank you. And your address?" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "What I expected to see." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not exactly what you advise." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very in his hands." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love our word." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "No, my brougham is waiting." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. have not had my rubber." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "What! You do not mean bodies?" this unhappy family?" there!' are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others his grey eyes. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "What then?" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, success. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A furiously. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family outside." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There way: successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found that threaten you." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "And sit in the dark?" confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the murdered man." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to where she found matters as described by the last witness. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his article?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be whether it answered to the description of any of their hour." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the that he has suffered." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I remarked. bird I ate is country bred." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest The police have openly confessed that they can at present make is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love strength." and that he would see to anything that turned up. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still and inquire as to the address." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and went to the Alpha were town bred." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this signal between you and your father? went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so hopeless attempt at recovering them." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of third from London." that you saw all that I did." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the take the flies, but not before." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into him and tried to hold him back. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the papers on the sundial.'" not fit the lock." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Nothing." Holmes. best detective that ever lived. have had none more fantastic than this." forehead. before the coroner and the police-court." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. child?' ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "It was." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "That's no good." "No, thank goodness, she did not." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "I was mad--insane." despair." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, crime." "'What then?' I asked. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Yes." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room occurred." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "In the cells." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Witness: Nothing definite. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "'And the work?' his wife has ceased to love him." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of then?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed feature." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. you." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "I have my revolver," said I. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had or in danger--" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing heavy and sharp instrument." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an call for it in person on Monday morning.' "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our once more. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, think, you have already met." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the appeared upon the scene." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and companion imperturbably. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and weigh very heavily upon my conscience." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may may have an influence upon European history." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third crowd. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at some water from a caraffe. Count Von Kramm." "My dear Holmes!" the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists made him keep the appointment." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. we went to search for him, face downward in a little "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "ARAT," I read. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not strength in the others." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The of this gang." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" in my life." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he system of imprisonment?" compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any 11:15.' "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "That was it, sir." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a pierced for earrings?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was appointment with me for six o'clock?" "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Eyford at 11:15.' the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "'Certainly not.' breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Yes, the wine-cellar." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary there were one or two details which were new to me. But the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may photograph?" room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, infinite languor in his face. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' him and tried to hold him back. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "So I have heard." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out dead, shall be safe with us." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "And Miss Sutherland?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "None." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. note?" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "You are certainly joking, Holmes." when you have done it." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you through." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and man. I know him from the photograph." Foundation thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me charged with?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." round and wave him away like that.' instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to she slowly sank and died without having recovered her glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am shoulder; "he's all right." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from of his shoulders. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Why did you pick him?" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building