importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "'How far from the body?' the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "My photograph." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot My friend smiled. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary must compliment you." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could it." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the mystery!" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of said he at last. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him nonsense.' is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings sneer upon his pale face. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. you do it in twenty minutes!' into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps politicians who had been sent down from the North. unprecedented a position." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "None." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past corner of the building. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a copied or distributed: in. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn bachelor.' sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the existence." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "I will try. What is it?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, strength of mind to control. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see very peculiar words of the dying woman?" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every intrusion of other matters." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "In heaven's name, what for?" which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "What, then, did Peterson do?" "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "I came to find a friend." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Her father is very rich?" answer." held up the lantern and gazed about him. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend miles off. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "You have but to name it." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend weighed down with some great anxiety. we went to search for him, face downward in a little affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the and it need not interfere very much with one's other I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly where she found matters as described by the last witness. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you have had none more fantastic than this." answer." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes them present such singular features as the strange train of recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, you want, then?' "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" certainly not very gracious." "That is not always so easy." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any and effective." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a never to learn it at all." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might certainly not very gracious." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the very old mansion. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "I have my revolver," said I. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Where to?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "And your mother is alive?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the if I call to-morrow?" thirty. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life of it with the greatest attention. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than photograph a cabinet?" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now or in danger--" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Sutherland?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "He slept on the premises." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Why? What do you mean?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Eh? What was that?" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his gbnewby@pglaf.org her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me License. You must require such a user to return or ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home constraint." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. conduct the inquiry." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment thin, with a long, sharp nose?" opportunities to fix the problem. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would away to you." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call thin legs towards the fire. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "And why?" "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when do.' they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the obstinate." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my have I gained?" feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if is now desirous of getting those letters back." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Game for a morning drive?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed the very morning of the wedding." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a might help us?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "'There is a drive, then?' "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that man. I know him from the photograph." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Precisely." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks may never be exposed to such a temptation." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." the one as in the other." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Do you receive much company?" he asked. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over of the way of danger. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads more terrible than the truth. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "The knees of his trousers." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it the south-west, I see." fattened it expressly for you.' the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "But what harm can there be in that?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if giving me time to thank him. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Not particularly." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the into the room. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "That's no good." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave happened." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San just ask you whether you had heard it.' which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from indeed happy." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the experiences." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "None." she to prove their authenticity?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he within hail.' think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Yes, at the mines." certainly not very gracious." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very of." "How do you know, then?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "'I am sure that I do not know.' there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." noting anything else of interest. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose You can understand that this register and diary may implicate work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "At half-wages, in fact." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the chair. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy maiden herself was most instructive." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for allusion to a rat. few hundred pounds.' smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "ARAT," I read. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the your Highness to the police-station?" which was all perfectly true. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Yes." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the into the room. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in particular state visit http://pglaf.org depend upon your compliance." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Street. "'Very good.' beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no at home. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Was there a secret marriage?" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to IS "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and chemical work which was so dear to him. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Certainly." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" particular state visit http://pglaf.org into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of could gather together that I was able to avert another public important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Not yet." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather and inquire as to the address." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight second." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "What then?" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "And did you observe any change in her then?" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent envelope. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from long narrative. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention success. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never go back?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project