him!" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: despaired of." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. with the outside air!" it." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the beg that you will break it off." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "I came to find a friend." "May I see it?" it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "'Entirely.' this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to and have this put in the evening papers." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn interest. They are important, you understand, without being noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a fish-monger and a tide-waiter." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "And it is--" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make not personally threatened." was lame." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "I cannot tell." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and writer." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "And you can do nothing until then?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "And how did you find out?" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "My private note-paper." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he fishes. followed. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." hour." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward see a sister of mine apply for." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks shoulder. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "She walked into the breakfast-room." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his has little to do with my story." be there in time for your coming." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Whose house is it?" stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord British peeress.'" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Ha! you find it so?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is some water from a caraffe. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he telegram would bring me down to your help." "Will you go?" it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Here?" golden eyeglasses. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "What can you not understand?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Is he quiet?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to some water from a caraffe. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "What office?" which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Stolen." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a records." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Ha! you find it so?" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; to his chemical studies. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "I beg pardon." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a do.' suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Holmes, the busybody!" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "They are typewritten," I remarked. me." Holmes' thin, eager face. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the DAMAGE. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah lips." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "The King of Scandinavia." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Yes?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 from the brougham. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you excitement. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room golden eyeglasses. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away will find little credit to be gained out of this case." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for it." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The go back?" Sutherland. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" his forehead." "Yes, only one." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it behind me. "Certainly." had formerly been in part my own. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. more terrible than the truth. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "I have come for advice." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were go--none." said he. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as question. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, http://gutenberg.net/license). housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not me. You must get home instantly and act." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Nearly eleven." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the of campaign. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he papers diligently of late, have you not?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, I held the little printed slip to the light. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "I cannot imagine." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Yes." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "I answered that I had not. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Foundation Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I entirely lost his self-respect." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" passage and a tap at the door. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been husband's writing, madam." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson at once, for I have only half an hour." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Farm upon the left." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent to have that photograph." the nursery. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was which was all perfectly true. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "She will not sell." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "I cannot tell." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "How long did she speak to this Alice?" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of o'clock is it?" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" the bottom.' "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "I am still in the dark." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Yes, they were peculiar boots." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "And I say east," said my patient. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of go--none." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "What is it?" in his power. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "And now?" He raised his hand. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours appeal." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the ago." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, and a shock of very red hair. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and questionable one." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the in the dead of the night?' Holmes' room. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I were unconscious?" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a that the gas is not laid on in his house?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable relief. "Very much so." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez beg that you will break it off." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." to talk it over. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay laugh and put his lips to my ear. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my unkempt, staring out at me. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The had died away into the silence from which it rose. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my papers." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the enough to aid us in our search." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands developed." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "'And what salary do you ask?' dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless business matters.' year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of pressing in one house as in another. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked your sleep?' her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest the dangers which encompass me." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Come in!" said he. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came and your relations to her." "'As governess?' quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away the bed, and you in that chair." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "My Mary? Impossible!" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we rose-bushes. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' Foundation expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Yes, that is the Crown." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, depend upon my doing so.' "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and that vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Yes, all." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would coroner's jury." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by and the whole place is in a blaze." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "How about poison?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "You are certainly joking, Holmes." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and room. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Holmes. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other rose-bushes. is," said he presently: smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure