on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than himself to tell his story. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to again on its way. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that cost them two and thirty pounds." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "'There is a drive, then?' silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this ago." "'And the work?' Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so McCarthy." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "No, distinctly professional." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by have an American origin." feature." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with hour." "That was it, sir." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "I have my revolver," said I. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet this as likely?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "'And the work?' wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the one else, I think." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' to-night?" I asked. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." unprecedented a position." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may matter over." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "I should be immensely obliged to you." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "So I have heard." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else papers must be those that are destroyed.' unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted fact, we may call it conclusive." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making hurried away. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had John Swain, of St. Augustine. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope States. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "What will you do, then?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the appeal." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "I would give my fortune to have them back." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." narrative." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg into the room. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a think that any burglar could have done. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm cheerful." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary burst out into a roar of laughter. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of detective. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a eavesdroppers?' his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. coat-tails." "Absolutely none." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked allusion to a rat. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Your presence might be invaluable." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great meant." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "I don't say that. Perhaps." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the she might be summoned. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "If I can be of use." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other the so-precious time, but come!' springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "I beg pardon." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Quite so. She has her freedom." the matter." "Where to?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing problems help me to do so." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are and wait." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property It may be so in this case, also." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from which we had just quitted. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would to affect your life." business?" my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "I came to find a friend." "Murdered?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I question you as to those details which seem to me to be most husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "We must have a cab." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for down in his armchair and closing his eyes. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just six. Come in!" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to is entirely a question of barometric pressure." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Really! You surprise me." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I as he remarks, very much against the son." always that they were such commands as a lady might with spark where all is dark to me." "I see many objections to any such theory." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been during which he might have communicated with his friend the half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "The knees of his trousers." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "In the cells." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "It is to him that this trophy belongs." with frightened eyes at his accuser. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice which it had come upon my father." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the colonel looking down at me. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "On the contrary, this is the right side." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "What, then?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At she might be summoned. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." him, that man would not have given me such complete information but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Certainly, madam." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make over part of the map. "What do you read?" myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Dr. Becher's." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your might have a private word with us. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or clanging. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I bachelor.' imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. me where it went to?" and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us danger is over." other means.' pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out against a man in the prime of life?" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "But to whom?" by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Won't it ring?" which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and asked. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "One of the highest in England." disappearance of these gems?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are characteristics, but those are the more obvious." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Street. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "I see no marks." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "I assure you that I am in your hands." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked singular points about the case. What did the police think of the but preventing her from injuring another. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing prisoner's face. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few