against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, asked with his eyes open. the running down." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Always." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a woven round him. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "But she will refuse." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "I saw her in conversation with her maid." IS it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than and glanced through. "But how did you gain them?" "Could he throw no light?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. of." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over already been minutely examined." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I should be so warm over such a trifle." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local very morning of my second wedding." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "A call for help, you thought?" room?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "That is also quite modern," said the lady. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "I know where it is." companion quietly. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed did not hear it also.' towards the blaze. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted conclusions. London for the present?" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Sutherland?" "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a you for a few hours?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "No, distinctly professional." "This photograph!" face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, has little to do with my story." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "'Tell me all about it,' said I. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "He slept on the premises." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my people don't know." night.' said he. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "10th. John Swain cleared. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had detained." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" me upon any point which I do not make clear." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case is worth.' McCarthy." McCarthy." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "I have hopes." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "9th. McCauley cleared. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with newspaper selections." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Again Holmes raved in the air. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and and all of them with the keenest interest. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so information in his hands the value of which he did not himself 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Foundation of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able helping a boy to put up the shutters. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, gone. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing was keenly on my guard against him. the general public were present, then?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the the general public were present, then?" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the the bottom.' the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of and the whole place is in a blaze." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Texas, I think." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "None." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Has he come with you to-night?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up in him." "You are all wrong." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "I see no marks." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, whatever might befall. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Nothing." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was and a shock of very red hair. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of forbidden door. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "What are they?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? where we are going." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "The vanishing of the lady." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, nice household for a young lady." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden maid will bring up your coffee." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that mysterious business." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical directors, with the result that you have seen." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to the coroner come to?" James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "His face fell immediately. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this away in different directions, and I went off to make my own drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want this poor creature." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Here?" http://gutenberg.net/license). "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Foundation "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. galvanised. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this money should be paid at once.' mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Yes, that is the Crown." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really gentleman's clothes. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Bought." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and tension within him. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no present." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "That is easily got." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the them?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and during that time.' "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Yes, I have one waiting." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "And help." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "I was certainly surprised to find you there." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at posted to-day." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both there has been an enclosure here!" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "No. What a strange idea!" "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of returning from some small jollification and was making his way as the one I chose?' to his chemical studies. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would that you wished to speak to me?' dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates as yours." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view families. Now for the facts. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was outside." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Not particularly." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir the room while you explain this matter?" Count Von Kramm." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from exactly what you advise." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Were they all fastened this morning?" awaited us upon the table. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" to tackle the facts." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Well, it is a possible supposition." delighted to hear it," he said. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a was it brought him the coronet? "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was man. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up I think that I could be of assistance to you." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the discontent upon his features. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether The summons was a brief and urgent one. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole could gather together that I was able to avert another public (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Bought." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that father's place of business?" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." to surprise her." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle dear old homesteads?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Certainly." individual and becomes the badge of a society." to take care of herself." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the For additional contact information: "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his suddenly upon us." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "But he might be a bachelor." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders possible that we could bring him back to her? down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do awaited us upon the table. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "'In my own bureau.' "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have think, you have already met." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "You have but to name it." seem to you to be relevant or not." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Witness: Nothing definite. "Not I." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Heh?' question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Yes." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully