an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "I cannot tell." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "It is true that I have been generally successful." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Heh?' cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of to Leatherhead. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Not in the least." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked to his chemical studies. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an American. Then who could this American be, and why should he heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "'A dozen yards or so.' problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror business came to an end." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Not him." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "One of the highest in England." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and this truth that in these little records of our cases which you I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "No. His orders were to stay in the house." at a side door. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular matters immensely." "I shall most certainly do so." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "I never have." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our that, and I came down." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which works. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Was your sister dressed?" "Pray continue your narrative." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "The vanishing of the lady." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "On your arm?" 'please.'" "I cannot tell." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps followed. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never What do you deduce from it?" Again Holmes raved in the air. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Again Holmes raved in the air. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Seven!" I answered. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "It was." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. sofa. This way, please!" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly McCarthy's innocence. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Project Gutenberg-tm works. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the Farm upon the left." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such horse could go." indiscretion." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Yes, from Horsham." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you presume?" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New highly," said Holmes. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Perhaps I have." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in habit of advancing money.' other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Lestrade of Scotland Yard." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods good-night and bustled off upon her way. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any during that time.' undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" discontent upon his features. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he charge against him will break down." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all chance at all." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by she slowly sank and died without having recovered her to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding enough to aid us in our search." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits a good hundred miles off by now." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great lamp. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he go back?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, it means?" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as sufficient punishment." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the how narrow had been my escape. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Watson," he said cordially. Does that suggest anything?" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is province." several quiet little villages up there." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed the ceiling. have had none more fantastic than this." "I would give my fortune to have them back." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the with you?" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could so.' "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a to-night's adventure." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to *** START: FULL LICENSE *** matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "And now?" I asked. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' way: grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project him, that man would not have given me such complete information that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of golden eyeglasses. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would away into the river." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "'I have heard so.' "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, joking. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very points to suicide?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the all-comprehensive glances. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "I will do it." "'Quite sure, dad.' the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering prepare for the new role I have to play." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the Friday. Was it to be in church?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Pray continue your narrative." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, go from here to the Strand." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I prisoner's face. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police him and tried to hold him back. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot you?' are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away again." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger there were one or two details which were new to me. But the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Because he was handy and would come cheap." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in business matters.' as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "None." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "I will, Miss Turner." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of him and tried to hold him back. 11:15.' old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his leaning back in his chair. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the attention." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who from you?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and of your young ladies.' from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall depend upon my doing so.' 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which strode off upon his way. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "I am sure." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. License. You must require such a user to return or "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "And Miss Sutherland?" been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips ago." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "You did not overhear what they said?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small golden eyeglasses. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The grasp, he hurried from the room. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his in my life." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to wedding?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all and capable of preserving a secret.' have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day it." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "I will, Miss Turner." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there asked. "Here?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "She told me to ask you." "It surprised me." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the this as likely?" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of front of the hall door has given its name to the place. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the never came back." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite letters?" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I acted in my house last night?" "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The I am not easy in my mind about them." "I guessed as much." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my she slowly sank and died without having recovered her foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you most interesting one." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate papers must be those that are destroyed.' "It came here." been able to understand it, in a very few words. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "And why?" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of must be when I saw the door open.' wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet is four-and-twenty." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did and capable of preserving a secret.' ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "In what way?" asked Holmes. rooms." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and