"Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the morning and make my own way in the world.' from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair papers must be those that are destroyed.' on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." go from here to the Strand." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. room. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Yes?" him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Was he the only applicant?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "How about poison?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, nothing of it?" horse could go." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Yes." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "I am all attention, madam." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign how narrow had been my escape. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an all-comprehensive glances. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I thought that she would have been so carried away." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Project Gutenberg-tm works. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "One of his hands." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this which are rolled in Rotterdam." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell question you as to those details which seem to me to be most glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist hereditary King of Bohemia." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "What will you do, then?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "But how?" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss had no one to advise her at such a crisis." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the acquaintance?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Then I do not see the point." "To an end?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora quite distinctive." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" father's place of business?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "'What do you call purely nominal?' you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I behind me. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "And leave your case unfinished?" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "But to whom?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "'Quite sure, dad.' doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Pope's Court. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Well?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's I held the little printed slip to the light. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be geese which you supplied to the Alpha." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance I am not easy in my mind about them." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are in. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "A greater distance to travel." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the waste of energy." "What then?" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Well." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from article?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Did you observe the colour?" "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Could he throw no light?" "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand four million human beings all jostling each other within the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the breakfast." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a be best to do. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the sake, don't!" Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered the stable lane now." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." and no precautions can guard against." yards of it?' From what you have told me I think that it is possible that purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be himself to hunt down. arrested. You then--" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "I cannot imagine." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of States. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches galvanised. 1.F. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Miss Holder?" hereditary King of Bohemia." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune said Mr. Holder. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." directly by questioning you." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came would then never go into court at all." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced affair. to-night?' advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "On your arm?" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, morning." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "What will you do, then?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free carriage. It was a chestnut." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "How on earth--" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve interested in these little problems, and since you are good "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a enter into my head. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Proceed, then." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, woven round him. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" James Windibank. Voilà tout!" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main nonsense.' 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me you." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "But your client--" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without that you can jump it.' rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by that there was nothing in it, after all." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Yesterday." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the nights." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "And I say east," said my patient. a little more before I quite committed myself. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the pictures, libraries, or plate. "You have carte blanche." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." several quiet little villages up there." 'please.'" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Thank you. Pray proceed." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and You want to know what became of those geese?" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "By all means." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Henry Baker is a member." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "What?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" out." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own companion imperturbably. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of place no limit on the sum I may draw." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Yes, it would be as well." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar is worth.' too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "'Why that?' I asks. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there success. the best of training." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark any more." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing already been minutely examined." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "I am sure." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he drawing your inferences." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere rooms." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We read it out to me." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in too. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not minor matters until to-morrow." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have meant it for the best. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was awaited us upon the table. "You horrify me!" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford excitement. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of away in different directions, and I went off to make my own considering the formidable letters which were received by himself ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope detained." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm think, you have already met." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the to surprise her." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "If I can be of use." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall most interesting one." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "It must be recovered." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a there is a decided draught." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for