sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this me where it went to?" ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "On Monday." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the to miss it." him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 were new raised from a basin. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in retorted upon me, and I on you." this as likely?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Yes, certainly." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, of the vacancies.' matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "You have a clue?" had formerly been in part my own. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never me. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, place no limit on the sum I may draw." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or vague figure huddled up in the darkness. door?" hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Sutherland. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, very morning of my second wedding." to-night." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "I am about to be married." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third business." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "None." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "That you are never beaten." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Yes." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and IS "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot rat could hardly pass through." "So I have heard." writer." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the occurred." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 yourselves in at night?" week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Precisely so. But how--" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "And who is her maid?" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls affection." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for death." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the ceiling. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of begun to whiten, even as mine has." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding or other trace. But how on earth--" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Never." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "What, then?" ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS awkward doing business with an alias." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." into the room. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "But how will you look?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been is worth.' "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." to arrive at through this?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. fire. You quite follow me?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. past. will he say when he returns?" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "To ruin me." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for would apply.' against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "'Yes, sir.' "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault to tackle the facts." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Why, it's a dummy," said he. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no undoubtedly my uncle's." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you companion quietly. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "An accident, I presume?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight done what I asked you, Jones?" as he folded up the epistle. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "You have a clue?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very tightly behind him. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My wanted for ourselves." III. could go. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be lost nothing by them." in one or two places in England?' I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, copied or distributed: fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had than to us. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would already referred to. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "But I have heard all that you have heard." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of upon the white wrist. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Thank you. And your address?" the coronet at all injured?" INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "How do you know, then?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Not social, then?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "ARAT," I read. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the them?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Yes, all." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The the so-precious time, but come!' which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty against a man in the prime of life?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few this remarkable episode. "And on what day did he meet his death?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "I cannot think." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "About a month then." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "VIOLET HUNTER." there." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "So it appears." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered intrusion of other matters." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' instituted." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated through." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but flock.' "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "But she could not love him." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is public press." "Who by?" there were one or two details which were new to me. But the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some least a fellow-countryman. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise when your master had gone out." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He threw himself down with his face to the pillow. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "I cannot imagine." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass present." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when sentimental considerations in the background which would induce professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If that threaten you." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions and capable of preserving a secret.' "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence rooms." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Pool. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "And for present expenses?" thirty. This is what he says: are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical nights." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern me have 200 pounds?' Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "But we can't all be." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. during that time.' in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "'Where to?' green of the new foliage. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which face and glided from the room. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." the coronet in his hands?" purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It there when the Rucastles went away." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his before, for it was considerably after midnight. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the was lame." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, have not had my rubber." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as late!' the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "By train from Waterloo." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a of the way of danger. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR and a shock of very red hair. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very furiously. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he