"'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and outside." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, speckled band?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to could go. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "How often?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" to a more successful conclusion." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with time." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered conclusions. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "No." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put careless servant girl?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "To an end?" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "'Certainly not.' "'Ample.' "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact begin with, and I had not got mine yet." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Precisely so. But how--" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and danger is over." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Yes, certainly." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round photograph a cabinet?" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of clanging. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off back to my heart. "May I see it?" room had already been engaged for us. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly copied or distributed: prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a of his shoulders. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." should be taken.' lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "No, I am descending." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. coat-tails." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case sake, don't!" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to just ask you whether you had heard it.' of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. to you." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is closely." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the must be when I saw the door open.' face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to just ask you whether you had heard it.' stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises tension within him. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Deserted you?" possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached of it with the greatest attention. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off page at http://pglaf.org My friend smiled. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with only touch the interest." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "I am to be neutral?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, few hundred pounds.' of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in charge against him will break down." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom It was close upon four before the door opened, and a brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began murdered man." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of know what is wrong with it.' "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Stolen, then." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the father's young wife. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "But she could not love him." him." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "No bad?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Then the page we have seen--" mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge seen the man in the road." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "But how?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with enter Dr. Roylott's room." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found some place of shelter and let the county police know what has their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my to-night?" I asked. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Was he the only applicant?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Yes, it would be as well." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may that you wished to speak to me?' went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Entirely." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for that before taking the final step I should like to submit the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without absorbing." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "'What then?' I asked. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." with her." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "By all means." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "And how in the world did you find them?" "My opinion is in no way altered." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Not in the least." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Yes." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could than to us. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work done what I asked you, Jones?" "By train from Waterloo." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "It came here." laugh and put his lips to my ear. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Ten will be early enough." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "What then?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we the one as in the other." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of completely overtopped every other consideration that we both earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there relief. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. infinite languor in his face. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if me. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Well?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Mary, has deserted me." once more to my work. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses recall any case within my experience which looked at the first say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he been deceived." "What will you say?" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had a very grave face. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would perplexity from it to my illustrious client. father's place of business?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." if she died from some sudden fright." I nodded again. experiences." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. keep the flames under. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, not interfere, come what may. You understand?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Yes." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "By no means." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right page at http://pglaf.org to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the a room. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he will be renamed. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid call for protection in the marriage market, for the present morning." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted went to the Alpha were town bred." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. public press." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my respectable self." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the colonel looking down at me. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "What can you not understand?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "I am about to be married." and put his glass in his pocket. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." and inquire as to the address." which are rolled in Rotterdam." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I you understand?" instincts rose up against that laugh. business." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls which it had come upon my father." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself the bottom.' "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "It is solved." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. enter Dr. Roylott's room." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "And the murderer?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "But he might be a bachelor." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "'And what salary do you ask?' go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each of the way of danger. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master that?' "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though chance." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp annoyance, but no jest. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Yes." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "You are hungry," I remarked. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. shoulder. "I say that I have solved it." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the notes," he said. true." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Frequently." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: there were so many in the whole country as were brought together beg that you will break it off." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, outbreak?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Yesterday." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought said he. dates and names. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Where, then?" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. me have 200 pounds?' errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate then?" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "When did it break out?"