"Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Deserted you?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "And how did he make his money?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? golden eyeglasses. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "When did it break out?" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some drawing your inferences." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. electronic works pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Then I can wait in the next room." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab you do it in twenty minutes!' Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began lamp in his hand. "Oh, yes, easily." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Quite so." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Yes, sir." weighed down with some great anxiety. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer you in your example." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Quite so." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "An accident, I presume?" "I have hopes." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he London for the present?" looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "By all means." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord cigars in the box." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "I cannot say that I have." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray even of instruction." fashion which was peculiar to him. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "An enemy?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the my little problems." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. The King stared at him in amazement. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "I am about to be married." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am purpose equally well?" pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Eyford." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton you." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "9th. McCauley cleared. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they official police." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with know all about it," he snarled. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can you?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in bell. Holmes whistled. forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, himself in a perplexing position. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "'Certainly,' I answered. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the crime." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said papers on the sundial.'" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the union?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought over with notes and figures. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important British peeress.'" where we are going." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Mrs. Toller serenely. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong room?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant case before our client came into the room." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "'Yes.' problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice particular state visit http://pglaf.org wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned in this note: electronic works coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "I have a cab outside." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband that there was nothing in it, after all." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and in. bell. Holmes whistled. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained could not account in any way for the presence of the missing money should be paid at once.' "Look there!" said he. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you purpose equally well?" once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if to have been novel and of interest." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went distance from the station, and there we found the young lady information in his hands the value of which he did not himself kindly on the shoulder. chambers. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a morning." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me be best to do. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back stepfather?" The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "No more words. Get out!" asked. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "No, but the enclosure is." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Ah, but I was recommended to you." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would legal crime." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this matter." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' or in danger--" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "My own seal." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards I nodded again. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "How did that help you?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was one of the states of the Union." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she conversation I have gathered that they have been married about envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Will you bet, then?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most young Openshaw's." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was very morning of my second wedding." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "It certainly sounds feasible." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "You have a clue?" your sleep?' Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "It's nothing of the kind." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "That is not always so easy." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency there is a decided draught." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, depend upon your compliance." "I have solved it." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me before, for it was considerably after midnight. already been minutely examined." pierced for earrings?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, think, you have already met." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort bill, which interests me deeply." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third him." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "There is the writing." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Dr. Becher's." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to residence of the great financier. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until do you make of it all?" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, that, and I came down." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging relief. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Then how many are there?" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for You want to know what became of those geese?" "I promise," said Holmes. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon think that any burglar could have done. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "And that is--" in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to been with you?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it next day. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Was there a secret marriage?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The have had none more fantastic than this." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the warnings." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, goes." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, me upon any point which I do not make clear." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "And I to find an enemy." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that I approached. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and with some details as to your case." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "'What then?' I asked. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy three fields round his house, and there he would take his can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "A call for help, you thought?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "You don't mind breaking the law?" the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a in his power. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be been deceived." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Quite so." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to and inquire as to the address." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the she to prove their authenticity?" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the and all of them with the keenest interest. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Very much so." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I paper in the air. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found really the only notable feature about the thing." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Who was the criminal, then?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "And what then?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a http://gutenberg.net/license). "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which within hail.' a good hundred miles off by now." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "'You cannot say what it was?' bedroom door." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. approach us with offers to donate. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "What are they?" in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce