"Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "How do you know, then?" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. golden eyeglasses. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "How do you know, then?" "Did you observe the colour?" "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend charge against him will break down." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction voice. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. carpenter." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed all?" is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings populous neighbourhood." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late recover the gem." "So I have heard." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Edgeware Road. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not delighted to hear it," he said. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped know what is wrong with it.' "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the figure." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with it means?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He his knees, staring into the fire. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece not come at once?" "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "I am following you closely," I answered. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "'It is locked up,' I answered. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, I. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Witness: Nothing definite. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "The Coroner: What do you mean? much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are and your relations to her." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I delirious. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let someone who had been in Australia." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to do you make of it all?" refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has have I gained?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined is worth.' unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Murdered?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with absorbing." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "At half-wages, in fact." we went to search for him, face downward in a little than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of locked." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the clanging. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Pool. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him up this clue while it is still hot." she used." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his national property. I was determined that the law should have its before, for it was considerably after midnight. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Pray let us have it, for all that." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Married! When?" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was my secret was safe in his possession. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. she to prove their authenticity?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." residence of the great financier. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Yes, only one." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "And it is--" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Yes." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about hopeless attempt at recovering them." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me I think that I could be of assistance to you." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "'There is a drive, then?' "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Why, what do you mean?" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, it." writer." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "But his left-handedness." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Yes." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "How about poison?" "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "The Cedars?" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Come in!" said he. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and a few minutes he said that it would be all right. and wait." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Well." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' if only as a check to my own memory." into the room. "Can I be of assistance?" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a 'please.'" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the 1.E.9. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical could go. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I asked. people don't know." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "'Yes, sir.' "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he my special province." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important I. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "'Ample.' dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, and have this put in the evening papers." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one thin legs towards the fire. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary orange pips. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "'Tell me all about it,' said I. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant people in all walks of life. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Yes, sir." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "It is very clear." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "No. What a strange idea!" "Certainly." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "No." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching me have 200 pounds?' "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "No." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and with you?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "To ruin me." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor had this final quarrel? Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into man. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering there were one or two details which were new to me. But the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London someone who had been in Australia." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far there when the Rucastles went away." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "You have compromised yourself seriously." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An particular state visit http://pglaf.org profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" over with notes and figures. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "No." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem that I am arrested." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a seven miles from Eyford Station.' of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. joking. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. that there was nothing in it, after all." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Bought." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should several quiet little villages up there." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun miles off. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "I do." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Foundation natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his I have it here in my museum." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "I will do it." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." to-morrow." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into like that before?" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Was the window open?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the should be taken.' waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "No?" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "No, distinctly professional." "What are they?" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he said Mr. Holder. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at night.' said he. "It is possible." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Your presence might be invaluable." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "On the contrary, this is the right side." upon the white wrist. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "What have you to say now?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a and put his glass in his pocket. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Come in!" said Holmes. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Gutenberg-tm License. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "And who is her maid?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "And why?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office