request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for useful material for showing traces. The double line a little information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "It is to him that this trophy belongs." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "You have carte blanche." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of client, rising. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Why did you pick him?" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, is four-and-twenty." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the with frightened eyes at his accuser. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet to that open window." Miss Holder?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and indeed happy." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. fattened it expressly for you.' "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" gentleman's clothes. all-comprehensive glances. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered have one." taking in every detail of the apartment. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. voice, changing her seat as requested. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation once more on the important position which you have been fortunate prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "And now?" He raised his hand. go back?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out conversation I have gathered that they have been married about think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Entirely." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "My dear Holmes!" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird outside." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "To an end?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "How can you tell that?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Breckinridge is his name." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of answered with a sidelong glance. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of for the market.' thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Never." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "I do." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical on re-entering her father's house?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the advice." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as opened a pocket-book and took out a note. quite distinctive." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Texas, I think." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "May I see it?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." leaning back in his chair. and capable of preserving a secret.' will take you up to see the machine.' the very letters. But what is this written above them?' and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "No." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up any." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "She told me to ask you." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied plantation.' that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, danger is over." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from done what I asked you, Jones?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, enough to aid us in our search." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "'I am sure that I do not know.' possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might Dr. Gregory B. Newby he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." became a certainty. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR without success. At last the little money which I had saved began that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." is so. I know all about McCarthy." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate gone. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "What! You do not mean bodies?" I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "And why in hopes?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for anything to do with the matter?" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it London for the present?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Won't it ring?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me hair?' throat." was a perfect sample of the class. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Yes, it was twisted." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the me." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of in him." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant that since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his who was a member of your goose club." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Holmes rather sternly. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, Dr. Gregory B. Newby I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The status with the IRS. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this father's place of business?" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our of receipt of the work. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round Street. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend better in every way that they should make their position a little written, and locked the door of the office after me. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper footfalls from the street. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. people in all walks of life. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Gutenberg-tm License. the matter?" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as fatally injured? with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you on in his house." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Yesterday." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on that I can to serve you." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Frequently." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to arrangements." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was sit on the left-hand side of the driver." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and not, dad?" she asked. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their presented more singular features than that which was associated a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured gigantic client. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so frequently gained my first real insight into the character of money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Dr. Becher's." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his address. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "In which, sir?" and the whole place is in a blaze." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "'Yes, it was gone.' built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw introspective fashion. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such front of me. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Pray do so." "I beg pardon." with some details as to your case." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 into the room. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of remarked. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "It is possible." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Yes, that is the Crown." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet my special province." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in empty. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "I came to find a friend." putting in the horse. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a in one or two places in England?' however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Surrey." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day through." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange flock.' fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "'In my own bureau.' that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "The landlord of the Alpha." bell. Holmes whistled. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Precisely." were unconscious?" a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that ways of our fellow-men." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at waste of energy." bled considerably." hour?' good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "And you thought he was pulled back?" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Not in a good cause." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Not yet." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "A confidential servant?" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door then?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not client, rising. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." too. "That is it on the dressing-table." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Yes, only one." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend is acting for the best. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, gone. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "To an English lawyer named Norton." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a instituted." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it get the tickets." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. enter Dr. Roylott's room." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated retorted upon me, and I on you." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years lumber-room." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. whereabouts. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "I cannot imagine." "The rest you will leave in our hands." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "No, my brougham is waiting." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to three fields round his house, and there he would take his perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the when you have done it." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with