yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat the very morning of the wedding." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of assist you in forming an opinion." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the have I gained?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." husband's writing, madam." "I will not look." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "I am following you closely," I answered. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "I should like to see him very much." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "It is possible." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Clair, of Lee." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time papers must be those that are destroyed.' "The rest you will leave in our hands." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it geese which you supplied to the Alpha." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Really! You surprise me." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended to-night." "That is possible." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Stolen." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "It is half-past ten now." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could lost his Christmas dinner." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the the window, rose as we entered. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window became a certainty. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land how narrow had been my escape. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness gentleman's clothes. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Eyford." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "And you don't know his address?" these bleak autumnal evenings." "Never." during that time.' We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "'Certainly not. But why?' pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge flock.' plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my impression behind it as though a window had gently closed read over the extraordinary announcement. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not would apply.' "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely useful material for showing traces. The double line a little his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would spark where all is dark to me." "Not social, then?" "You are hungry," I remarked. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Yes, there are nearly always some there." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was voice, changing her seat as requested. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "'You doubt its value?' he asked. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Holmes' room. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that which we had just quitted. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm gives a meaning to it." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my examine." too. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "I cannot say that I have." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "A confidential servant?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client people in all walks of life. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance status with the IRS. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than imbecility!" he cried. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "'Certainly not. But why?' be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Pray let us have it, for all that." and put his glass in his pocket. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The as he remarks, very much against the son." society." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little help us in this matter." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Certainly, madam." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no him and tried to hold him back. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both I think that I could be of assistance to you." these bleak autumnal evenings." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further spare." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp the child." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have you." "My private note-paper." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Yes, only one." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and yards of it?' adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a their singular warning or token before them when starting upon tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about questioning and rather startled gaze. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a know what is wrong with it.' from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had vanished into the darkness. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Absolutely?" the best of training." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to himself in a perplexing position. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it I was concerned in it." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I III. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from visitors." investigation." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from some terrible trap for her." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "I will not look." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a intrusion of other matters." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "'As governess?' "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove to surprise her." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. he died? "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Yes, the wine-cellar." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Perhaps we may make them less so." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "No?" way in." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he quickly through a disagreeable task. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Not in the least." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she ourselves in the office." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Bought." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "'Is purely nominal.' "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "It surprised me." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, jewels which you have stolen?' his face. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection the little opening for the ventilator is." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. that you wished to speak to me?' "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "None." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she comes from the middle window." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Why serious?" newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "I will not look." gone. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My unprecedented a position." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the the south-west, I see." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "And I say east," said my patient. certainly not very gracious." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "You have but to name it." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Where, indeed?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "He slept on the premises." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "ARAT," I read. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "'Yes, it was gone.' which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over October 9, 1890. me what he had done with the three missing stones. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire will he say when he returns?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the at home. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Eh? What was that?" into the bag, and made for the door. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried man. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent think you a quite exceptional woman." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock useful material for showing traces. The double line a little 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was the running down." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "But your client--" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "He slept on the premises." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "She will not sell." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to the general public were present, then?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "We have tried and failed." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "He slept on the premises." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "And I." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his everything which you would wish to know." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "'Oh, no.' All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new What do you deduce from it?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier past. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "At the wedding breakfast." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman