Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. entirely devoid of interest." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police arrangements." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "What shall I do?" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "You heard nothing yourself last night?" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was arms and began to sob in a high treble key. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the to affect your life." "'Is purely nominal.' breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Won't it ring?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. would apply.' the warnings." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" gone. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Leadenhall Street--and--" withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Just look it up, then." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate very morning of my second wedding." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such awaited us upon the table. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "And Irene Adler?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story character. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready lost his Christmas dinner." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "'Why that?' I asks. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among my former friend and companion. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Yes, there are nearly always some there." head. So long, then!" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a house for five minutes.' the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "You are hungry," I remarked. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Dark enough and sinister enough." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. child?' back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if did not hear it also.' graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." man. I know him from the photograph." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." down. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. there in twenty minutes." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said silent! Oh, he will be silent!' a suggestive one." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our about here speaks of his kindness to him." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR strong reason behind." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter III. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." populous neighbourhood." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "I see many objections to any such theory." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "There are none." remarked. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of closing the door. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a dramatic, in fact." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of appeal." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "And now?" I asked. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down if I call to-morrow?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia your sleep?' "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed friend's singular character. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we colonel looking down at me. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of a very grave face. "My dear Holmes!" into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most to his chemical studies. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a points to suicide?" arrangements." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "But she will refuse." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the the matter?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' daring than any effort of the imagination." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious depend upon my doing so.' "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Dr. Gregory B. Newby terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a vault. the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the and it need not interfere very much with one's other "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his criminal. We have already had experience of such." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I to where he stood hid behind the curtain. it." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one to tell." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "What can it mean?" I gasped. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then II. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off means taking possession of that which another person has a prior my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that and the church but not where the lady lived." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious leaning back in his chair. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" light and attacked it." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "My photograph." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Then, how do you know?" "Your French gold?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Because he was handy and would come cheap." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual relation between them, and what the object of his repeated been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the stammered. "Then I shall certainly come." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss closely." outsides of the windows. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that main points of my analysis." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "You forget that I know nothing about it." he bowed and left the room without another word. laugh and put his lips to my ear. companion imperturbably. "Not social, then?" determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the distinguish the words: electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers absorbing." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see with the outside air!" I. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the night.' my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Cross for the Continent." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom telegram would bring me down to your help." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "'And the work?' "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "VIOLET HUNTER." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "From his hat?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who man. I know him from the photograph." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of maiden herself was most instructive." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Sholtos." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Gutenberg-tm License. several quiet little villages up there." in a friendly supper." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this yet." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "From his hat?" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange The note was undated, and without either signature or address. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Which surely he restored to their owner?" straighten it?" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step three of the beryls in it, was missing. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "'What then?' I asked. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker anything to a woman, for she would have her way." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from awaited us upon the table. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "How are you getting on?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched help us in this matter." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had for securing the situation." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be wife's character?" his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" my special province." hour?' young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man have established a very serious case against the son of the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her should be so warm over such a trifle." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on he. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should the side-table." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday was the fact that his father should, according to his account, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Henry Baker is a member." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "'Why that?' I asks. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was present." ceremony." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very the loss of it. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her frequently gained my first real insight into the character of believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. may have an influence upon European history." Project Gutenberg-tm works. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "None." way: very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Never to return." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they The King stared at him in amazement. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if see me here to avoid scandal." certainly not very gracious." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less appeal." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put directly by questioning you." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "The King of Scandinavia." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and house for five minutes.' keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every from you?" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been footfalls from the street. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his The police have openly confessed that they can at present make imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I unprofitable." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Not him." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to