"That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Stoke Moran?" said he. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "I think that it is very probable." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Witness: It was. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office success. Sutherland?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, business came to an end." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I future lives." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, States. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked fluttered off among the others. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for hardly wander." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence in the dead of the night?' "No." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, had this final quarrel? crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, morning." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here someone who had been in Australia." past. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Again Holmes raved in the air. side. in the hope of finding them." foot. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is gives a meaning to it." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, the armchair which I pushed forward for him. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted that and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." desk. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of wedding?" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "There are none." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I approach us with offers to donate. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' fatally injured? Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away get her out of the way." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Were they all fastened this morning?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to ago." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Certainly." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "How are you getting on?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer attention." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at my special province." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a companion. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Then you may entirely rely on me." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Not him." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "How can you tell that?" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached o'clock is it?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Countess of Morcar's?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I galvanised. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear daring than any effort of the imagination." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of do." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Yes." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Then you may be so with me." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall him." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, memory. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "That also I could fathom." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I events, Mr. Windibank!" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should the morning and make my own way in the world.' their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, I nodded to show that I had heard. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "At the wedding breakfast." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should murdered man." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "What of the rat, then?" among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down at my remark. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Does that suggest anything?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." entirely lost his self-respect." bare slabs of marble. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Witness: It was. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of was used.' The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." what do you think they found in the pockets?" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been sufficient punishment." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Texas, I think." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me arms and began to sob in a high treble key. again." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "This photograph!" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would to a more successful conclusion." back into the street. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "What office?" have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined with frightened eyes at his accuser. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Nothing." "Well, some hundreds of times." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Was your sister dressed?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." at my own good fortune. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Was there a secret marriage?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden exactly what you advise." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Then I shall certainly come." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are conceal it?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "No." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "How about poison?" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "And help." made his money." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Did you observe the colour?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "My own seal." "'Is purely nominal.' the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, held up the lantern and gazed about him. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Yes." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "How do you know, then?" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my the loss of it. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of his cane at the bell-pull. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "There are none." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George it." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "I think it very unlikely." "It is true that I have been generally successful." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. enter Dr. Roylott's room." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "You were travelling in the States?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which would apply.' note?" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to had a long day." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There arrangements." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a of the one which your family is now devouring." ashen face. "But your client--" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that could not have written that. It is the German who is so "'You cannot say what it was?' His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I strength of mind to control. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he ceremony." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "A confidential servant?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "No. What a strange idea!" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which all-comprehensive glances. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands address. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this tell them apart.' flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Witness: I must still refuse. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly hour." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "The gentleman I describe." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. so.' "'Certainly,' I answered. "But what will you do?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Yes, but only for you and me." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself woven round him. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third man. I know him from the photograph." better in every way that they should make their position a little "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but himself. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "No, distinctly professional." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Edgeware Road. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door your own bird, so if you wish--" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the outside." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "It is no ordinary one." the ceiling. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is that I can to serve you." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. politicians who had been sent down from the North. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears notes," he said. photograph?" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the