Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "My photograph." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my flock.' "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be stood on the top of it. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "'Oh, no.' the very letters. But what is this written above them?' outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we sake, don't!" long narrative. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." before the coroner and the police-court." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "The gentleman I describe." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper father's place of business?" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am one or two very singular points about this room. For example, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to or in danger--" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the opportunities to fix the problem. her also." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "It surprised me." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." the window, rose as we entered. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless own family. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was me what he had done with the three missing stones. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Pray do so." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Yes, sir." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "But how could you guess what the motive was?" with her." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for thirty. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Yes." "'Why that?' I asks. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there you." "You know me, then?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. look upon these things in a different way." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he light and attacked it." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" undoubtedly my uncle's." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, strong and stiff." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about himself in a perplexing position. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back and the church but not where the lady lived." "And your mother is alive?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt business." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, signal between you and your father? brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all cup of tea. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something awkward doing business with an alias." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts October 9, 1890. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "But what will you do?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, him nearly every evening." excitement. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he name is different." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with constraint." side. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Have you good authority for what you say?" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your colonel looking down at me. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was your room." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable papers must be those that are destroyed.' "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "I am in hopes that she does." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the house for five minutes.' own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "My dear Holmes!" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Of what day?" them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, had a long day." "At what time?" has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other crime. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of stammered. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "What do you make of that, Watson?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "He said too much." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "'In my own bureau.' habit of advancing money.' on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked tell me that you intended to go into harness." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "How did you deduce the select?" four million human beings all jostling each other within the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is to take care of herself." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a certainly not very gracious." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in strength." I. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his read it out to me." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are himself. which our visitor detailed to us. London for the present?" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country conclusions. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with wedding?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed families. Now for the facts. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "You have carte blanche." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging the date of his supposed suicide." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Very. But will he see it?" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Well." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "I cannot think." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Lee, in the county of Kent." DAMAGE. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest invisible to me," I remarked. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to what do you think they found in the pockets?" has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to me upon any point which I do not make clear." relief. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Here?" I nodded again. "Yes." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. taking in every detail of the apartment. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Nearly eleven." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the way in everything. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "'I am sure that I do not know.' which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, case-book, which he consulted. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have questioning and rather startled gaze. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Yes." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their than was visible to me." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was appeared upon the scene." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the matter over." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Heh?' on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Holmes' thin, eager face. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it is so. I know all about McCarthy." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of this man was intellectual?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may sofa. This way, please!" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. crackling voice. nice household for a young lady." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very had no one to advise her at such a crisis." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "And Irene Adler?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "That is not always so easy." "Come in!" said he. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic client, rising. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated disappearance of the bride.'" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary success. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of where we are going." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "You are hungry," I remarked. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Did you become engaged then?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And me have 200 pounds?' 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, tear off another piece?' "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, highly," said Holmes. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your national property. I was determined that the law should have its confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "I have come for advice." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the wedding?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "I saw her in conversation with her maid." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just himself to tell his story. "You horrify me." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the an introduction to him?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "But your client--" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She carried out of court." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who over with notes and figures. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Yes." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as client, rising. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." were wasted." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of