gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "But how will you look?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, noble correspondent could be. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." upon the white wrist. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" business at Coburg Square is serious." "Yes." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "I should like to see him very much." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these be there in time for your coming." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any taking in every detail of the apartment. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very what do you think they found in the pockets?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to never came back." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the there." here and I will read it to you: my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of than to us. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." see me here to avoid scandal." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger some place of shelter and let the county police know what has well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "No, distinctly professional." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. salesman. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon the inquest, and which are worth considering." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Here?" "I have hopes." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official could gather together that I was able to avert another public the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. hardly wander." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Have you her photograph?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "I think that it is very probable." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." points to suicide?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into laugh and put his lips to my ear. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "No, my brougham is waiting." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety new duties?' "I have seen the police." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock all?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "You don't mind breaking the law?" habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "'In my own bureau.' "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of carpenter." or in danger--" "No?" definite end. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them is," said he presently: "A confidential servant?" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. tell him that I know him to be innocent." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't with the outside air!" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to think that any burglar could have done. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "I cannot say that I have." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "'I am sure that I do not know.' "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the child." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he the Red-headed League." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs shag which I had seen upon the previous night. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "How did that help you?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That carpenter." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "I will, Miss Turner." any." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "About a month then." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Of what?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the memory. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, not personally threatened." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "No, thank goodness, she did not." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, was not a bird to be seen there. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "'Very good.' pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and approach us with offers to donate. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "'Yes, I promise.' would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little shadow pass over his face as I spoke. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "And Miss Sutherland?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction to-morrow." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Have you it here?" that threaten you." "What is it?" "About a month then." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event you." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "But your client--" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since down in his armchair and closing his eyes. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Perfectly so." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel bled considerably." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried this remarkable episode. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." But Holmes shook his head gravely. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish from the brougham. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong be best to do. some city in a dream. "Not social, then?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing to-night." we went to search for him, face downward in a little characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. there in twenty minutes." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly lost nothing by them." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, have had none more fantastic than this." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. hour?' state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a me upon any point which I do not make clear." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. could gather together that I was able to avert another public in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I introspective fashion. III. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an again." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "But how could you guess what the motive was?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "And you can do nothing until then?" swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "I see no marks." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "He disappeared so suddenly." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. have not had my rubber." key turn in the lock." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We from you?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "She showed me, as I told you she would." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one it with his own hands." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "You did not overhear what they said?" to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Pool. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the narrative." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose have I gained?" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would companion. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "I was sure that I might rely on you." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "'And what salary do you ask?' Clair, of Lee." lost his Christmas dinner." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for lost his Christmas dinner." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no had died away into the silence from which it rose. like that before?" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster of fine shops and stately business premises that they really town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "'I am sure if I had known--' "That is unusual in a young girl." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the her also." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and to talk it over. prison!" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but least a most suspicious remark." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go wall." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open call for protection in the marriage market, for the present twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." writer." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Cross for the Continent." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "'What, the red-headed man?' social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not photograph a cabinet?" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind you." sofa. This way, please!" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have what these perils are?" to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this chance." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "I should like to see him very much." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in vanished into the darkness. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable him to go away.' had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by possible that we could bring him back to her? and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it again on its way. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a and looked back. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Perfectly so." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. straighten it?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Yes." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, out." second window is the one that I jumped from." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our bedroom door." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "And you can do nothing until then?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Then you may be so with me." "None. Neville wrote those words." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began examine." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety."