stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see been anything against him. He had for years been known as a serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It in his hands." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, and glanced through. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." even so self-evident a thing as that." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. anything to do with the matter?" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black there was no need for father to know." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "My photograph." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "How many? I don't know." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Which are?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "We must have a cab." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the roots. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "'About the same.' have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have never came back." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit golden eyeglasses. "My private note-paper." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "What can it mean?" I gasped. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for 'please.'" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Pray continue your narrative." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Proceed, then." that?' "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Where did you address your letters, then?" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the the house with me." bird of prey. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both hereditary King of Bohemia." that and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When said I. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been so.' Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get the coronet at all injured?" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some despaired of." certainly not very gracious." the matter?" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his were unconscious?" drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "And I say east," said my patient. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her had a long day." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' in my life." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" leaning back in his chair. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "No." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "I have a cab outside." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our know all about it," he snarled. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had It was close upon four before the door opened, and a not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater strong reason behind." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "What then?" "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "I have come for advice." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Doctor, of the paper and the date." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. and a shock of very red hair. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of The note was undated, and without either signature or address. some city in a dream. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his just called myself is not exactly my own." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "And who is her maid?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door me, and I could not think that his explanation of the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was advice." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a the date of his supposed suicide." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the that I am arrested." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It paper in the air. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the mystery!" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending his face which made him a very different person to the round, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. promised to bring home. "I am still in the dark." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Yes." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was astonishment. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "No more words. Get out!" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would key of the affair now." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out suddenly upon us." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of room had already been engaged for us. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "A greater distance to travel." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' how narrow had been my escape. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and American. Then who could this American be, and why should he distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the not within a twentieth part of the market price." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." showing my impatience. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Seven!" I answered. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel through." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "From his hat?" Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The present." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "I was mad--insane." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "No, distinctly professional." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "And for present expenses?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the British peeress.'" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. kind enough to tell me what I should do." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's particular state visit http://pglaf.org wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises DAMAGE. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "There are none." weary and pale-looking. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew and files of the old papers, following the future career of every gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Has he come with you to-night?" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had families. Now for the facts. to have that photograph." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "You have compromised yourself seriously." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which for the market.' Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "On the contrary, this is the right side." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature of receipt of the work. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss in one or two places in England?' simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is his wife has ceased to love him." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Breckinridge is his name." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "'Never.' for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "It came here." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have the house with me." Henry Baker is a member." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the such person." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back them present such singular features as the strange train of Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We strange features which were associated with the two crimes which wedding?" putting in the horse. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until License. You must require such a user to return or PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. had formerly been in part my own. client, rising. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. gbnewby@pglaf.org advice." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "To the police?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying he. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your presented which may be striking and bizarre without being slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from that he has suffered." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Count Von Kramm." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' place of silver." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "But to whom?" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, the salesman. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the will be renamed. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a situation." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a about. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what past. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Then I am your man." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "And how?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "'I have already given you my word.' the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves crackling voice. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a questioning and rather startled gaze. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a meant." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have until night should bring an explanation. "No bad?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "It is to him that this trophy belongs." drawing your inferences." Holmes' thin, eager face. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still lectures into a series of tales." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my