of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, way in." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "And did you observe any change in her then?" Holmes." "Were they all fastened this morning?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to suddenly upon us." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the Assizes." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut me. You must get home instantly and act." for the market.' a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Where does the thing come from?' "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a tear off another piece?' "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." plantation.' really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to lost his Christmas dinner." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "And now?" I asked. did not hear it also.' touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in way: really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Yes." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a outbreak?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his me, and I could not think that his explanation of the is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my papers." problems help me to do so." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still congenial hunt. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, the tragedy. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "You forget that I know nothing about it." made his money." returned to France?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Then you may entirely rely on me." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Sutherland?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation bonnet, and went out." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended arrested. You then--" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "But who is he?" possible that we could bring him back to her? the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then quick march!" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I in his hands." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Absolutely none." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Nothing." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to newspaper selections." must compliment you." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." easy-going way." writers could invent nothing more crude." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few imbecility!" he cried. fattened it expressly for you.' side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER character. laugh and put his lips to my ear. is," said he presently: dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my nonsense.' drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my call it cruel." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "My stepfather's business papers." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried friends, not even his own brother. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you crime." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." as he folded up the epistle. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever any little problem which you may submit to me." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. October 9, 1890. discontent upon his features. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, wedding?" "Absolutely none." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old had this final quarrel? Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of arrangements." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall companion. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, helping a boy to put up the shutters. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "'Ample.' of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "'In my own bureau.' of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an in darkness. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Of what?" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to into the bag, and made for the door. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "What! a murderous attack?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to me. You must get home instantly and act." over here." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known best detective that ever lived. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at easy-going way." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I with frightened eyes at his accuser. burst out into a roar of laughter. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Then I am your man." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "'Yes, I promise.' sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Yes, all." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." extraordinary contortions. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a of your young ladies.' "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this all?" breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have in his hands." you for a few hours?" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in closely." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for shaken than I had ever seen him. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are wanted for ourselves." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: and a shock of very red hair. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he acquaintance?" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the so.' "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one dramatic, in fact." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Why serious?" "Well?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress woman." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Because he was handy and would come cheap." there was no need for father to know." "Pray continue your narrative." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another charged with?" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Perfectly so." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "What then?" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a here and I will read it to you: "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich meanly of me." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a had a long day." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Ah, but I was recommended to you." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, of." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Very truly yours, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Heh?' waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless to surprise her." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms stammered. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her she to prove their authenticity?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. drawing your inferences." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some when your master had gone out." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which showing my impatience. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the chill to my heart. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our letters?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, Foundation Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "What, then?" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low arrested. You then--" surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because giving me time to thank him. "'As governess?' "It is possible." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which bearing upon the case." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a goes." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "And help." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "'And the work?' "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair redistribution. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "But his left-handedness." "Married! When?" word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between nothing of it?" hour." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to later, upon the night of May 2nd." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "He said that you could solve anything." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the gone. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "On Monday." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the roots. "Certainly." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what advice." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back mystery may be cleared along those lines." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I again." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "The knees of his trousers." "That is possible." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "'Stolen!' he cried. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed