conceal it?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad future lives." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Yes, all." highroad, where all traces were lost. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length works. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less visitors." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Nothing?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. copied or distributed: "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "I saw her in conversation with her maid." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we public press." "'Yes, sir.' want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, this Miss Turner." "But his lameness?" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear reach." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss it." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Entirely." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered the devil!" "But she could not love him." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between so.' sofa. This way, please!" and effective." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it ventilator." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Pray do so." mystery." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the McCarthy." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper said he, "my real name is James Ryder." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether several quiet little villages up there." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Ah!" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the him nearly every evening." Does that suggest anything?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed congenial hunt. felt?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate that you saw all that I did." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Arthur Conan Doyle morning." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an to tell." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Well, some hundreds of times." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune never came back." enter Dr. Roylott's room." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than http://www.gutenberg.net planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I companion. paper in the air. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Yes." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." excitement. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Awake, Watson?" he asked. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project hand, madam?" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in shag which I had seen upon the previous night. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, to take care of herself." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out forecastle of an emigrant ship. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob fait accompli?" guilty one." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "No, I had a dozen." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "'And the work?' details." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should true." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do washing it down with a long draught of water. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as infinite languor in his face. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Where to?" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were politicians who had been sent down from the North. even of instruction." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical there were so many in the whole country as were brought together was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "'What then?' I asked. events than those which have happened in my own family." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Texas, I think." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "'Where could I find him?' prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, nothing with him." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Yes." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "What then?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' or other trace. But how on earth--" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next invisible to me," I remarked. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "What then?" matter." where she found matters as described by the last witness. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "I have solved it." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. written, and locked the door of the office after me. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should wall." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "What then?" mysterious end." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was all?" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a straighten it?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of problems help me to do so." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I man. I know him from the photograph." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing ready to-morrow?' evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "It was a confession," I ejaculated. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for presented more singular features than that which was associated "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Edgeware Road. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Witness: Nothing definite. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez your troubles." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the as he folded up the epistle. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "And why?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the retorted upon me, and I on you." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this fattened it expressly for you.' "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to down in his armchair and closing his eyes. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then there has been an enclosure here!" "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Who was the criminal, then?" the coronet in his hands?" wall." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties your own bird, so if you wish--" "And how did he make his money?" "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "VIOLET HUNTER." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be was a perfect sample of the class. "'Yes, it was gone.' "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One brandy and water within his reach. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "'Oh, no.' of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Munro.' destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "He said too much." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used direction." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "What, then?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "You think that he is dead?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "And the cigar-holder?" away in different directions, and I went off to make my own light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "I don't believe it." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her any." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to was used.' edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may ready to-morrow?' "And for present expenses?" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream shall not find me ungrateful." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are our word." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "It is no ordinary one." "You know me, then?" "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, I am not easy in my mind about them." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to IS fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." sparkled upon his finger. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official God! What an exposure! What can I do?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I clang of the bell. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "'There is a drive, then?' centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "She showed me, as I told you she would." straightened it out again. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was constraint." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I despair." "'There is a drive, then?' dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH strength." true." "Nothing?" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler ways of our fellow-men." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the asked. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the writers could invent nothing more crude." the side-table." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Do you know him?" "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the of campaign. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we fasten all the windows?" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "You are hungry," I remarked. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I fashion which was peculiar to him. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Yes, it would be as well." "By no means." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project question you as to those details which seem to me to be most darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "And now?" He raised his hand. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of clanging. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock sparkled upon his finger. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up key of the affair now." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to upon the sideboard." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "But to whom?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the voice. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" photograph a cabinet?" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, it. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which I leave." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily call for protection in the marriage market, for the present now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott forecastle of an emigrant ship. which was all perfectly true. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Yes, he did." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Well, but China?" "My opinion is in no way altered." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? me upon any point which I do not make clear." "I would pay ten." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending guilty one." "Yes." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy records." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with