posted to-day." of." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Won't it ring?" receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "I think it very unlikely." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Ample." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "By train from Waterloo." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Yes?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony official police." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite the very morning of the wedding." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of of receipt of the work. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "And why?" the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think breakfast." are windows in it, of course?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the salesman. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk upon a handsome competence. hereditary King of Bohemia." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish of a light. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about spark where all is dark to me." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I my special province." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Whose house is it?" second." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same had no one to advise her at such a crisis." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On could gather together that I was able to avert another public "But what will you do?" the Friday. Was it to be in church?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" read it out to me." "That is possible." which are rolled in Rotterdam." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said unclasping of his long thin hands. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "No?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the again." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, to you." of Mr. Rucastle's." "Yes, from Horsham." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project guilty one." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "'And the work?' day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Lee, in the county of Kent." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Then I am your man." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so tied." "Come in!" said he. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent infinite languor in his face. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the spark where all is dark to me." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my too. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "To ruin me." morning." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits congratulate you again." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had him. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. I have it here in my museum." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "That is it on the dressing-table." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." drove away. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always instituted." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be that he has suffered." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over occupations.' was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest upon an income of about 60 pounds." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his extraordinary contortions. I leave." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "And how did he make his money?" "A confidential servant?" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand system of imprisonment?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the sake, don't!" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must intrusion of other matters." "Have you it here?" of the one which your family is now devouring." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Witness: It was. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "No. His orders were to stay in the house." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "I assure you that I am in your hands." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "The knees of his trousers." "Indeed! Whose, then?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she yourselves in at night?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, started for the Temple to see my husband. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Stolen, then." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Perhaps we may make them less so." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I again before evening." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" his huge brown hands. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may that, and I came down." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a you." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you think you a quite exceptional woman." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked there when the Rucastles went away." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking legal crime." memory. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Yes." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the one as in the other." Edgeware Road. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "None." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "'What, the red-headed man?' pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Then you may entirely rely on me." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, the room while you explain this matter?" they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the the dangers which encompass me." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, these bleak autumnal evenings." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." certainly not very gracious." not fit the lock." as the one I chose?' "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it like that before?" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united down in his armchair and closing his eyes. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just despair." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander were unconscious?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The presented which may be striking and bizarre without being in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was I. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my one's self under obligations.' into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt is four-and-twenty." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable his forehead." fattened it expressly for you.' however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "And how did he make his money?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" the driver. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own on re-entering her father's house?" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "'What then?' I asked. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped fat-encircled eyes. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Then I shall certainly come." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I to miss it." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you brandy and water within his reach. "What can you not understand?" elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which when your master had gone out." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. Holmes' face clouded over. "Quite so." Munro.' had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and giving me time to thank him. them, and came down just as you departed. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "No, I had a dozen." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would it right.' "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could was shining brightly. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" done what I asked you, Jones?" said I. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I here and I will read it to you: your room." exactly what you advise." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Yes." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "But his left-handedness." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. ourselves in the office." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the lost his Christmas dinner." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." stood on the top of it. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "And how did you find out?" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the it." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "But how?" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "What is it, then--a fire?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without you do it in twenty minutes!' confronted him. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and which our visitor detailed to us. and a shock of very red hair. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "By all means." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "'Ample.' "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. what I may call a really hard day's work." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a sofa. This way, please!" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to get her out of the way." trying to your nerves." chamber." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Yes, he did." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Not I." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others said I. fatally injured? thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "It is no ordinary one." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "It is true that I have been generally successful." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him rooms." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Holmes' face clouded over. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "What steps will you take?" I asked. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the there has been an enclosure here!" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "But his lameness?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for