dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which had no one to advise her at such a crisis." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "'I have heard so.' her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Nearly eleven." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." security.' "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "No, but the enclosure is." "No. What a strange idea!" secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you the Assizes." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were promised to bring home. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Perhaps we may make them less so." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave presume?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or me where it went to?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Holmes rather sternly. ordinary clothes on?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as said he, "my real name is James Ryder." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "What is it, then--a fire?" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' not use it unless it is absolutely needed." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the danger is over." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." me have 200 pounds?' afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of could gather together that I was able to avert another public "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he the tragedy. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. these bleak autumnal evenings." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his whereabouts. she might be summoned. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the fait accompli?" matter over." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "I have come for advice." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." into the bag, and made for the door. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond weapon." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Chief Executive and Director happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, his grey eyes. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Perhaps I have." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client him and tried to hold him back. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "That also I could fathom." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "'Yes, sir.' of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I even of instruction." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Leadenhall Street--and--" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets have established a very serious case against the son of the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the him to go away.' man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "I have my revolver," said I. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some bore every mark of being an average commonplace British paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "The vanishing of the lady." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do presented more singular features than that which was associated 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email place of silver." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer held up the lantern and gazed about him. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he electronic works the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "'What then?' I asked. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of who was a member of your goose club." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove who was a member of your goose club." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still appointment with me for six o'clock?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at not fit the lock." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Just look it up, then." "Oh, yes, easily." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when direction." only touch the interest." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." that there was nothing in it, after all." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the night.' said he. "I cannot imagine." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for it." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "That was it, sir." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he his grey eyes. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. lips." "Not him." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "I have my revolver," said I. "Imitated." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, bears upon the case?" I leave." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press secret." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given written. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "None." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Then you may be so with me." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had once more on the important position which you have been fortunate and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between and glanced through. the inquest, and which are worth considering." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the leave you to your papers for a little." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Yes." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice call the police, let the police find what they can.' But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Why serious?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after business." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then you?' other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "That was it, sir." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. legal crime." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Well, but China?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "'Quite sure, dad.' me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear simple cases which are so extremely difficult." keep the flames under. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. narrative." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "'Stolen!' he cried. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? bachelor.' base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the security.' prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Yes?" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Oh, yes, easily." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Was she in good spirits?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate less than 26s. 4d. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards fasten all the windows?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "On the contrary, this is the right side." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't closing the door. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his long narrative. "You have a clue?" cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Does that suggest anything?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Perhaps we may make them less so." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, out." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been be.' from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, later, upon the night of May 2nd." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "I am in hopes that she does." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and it." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." before the coroner and the police-court." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the a very grave face. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have 1.F. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that in your London, you will know that the office of the company is to-night." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into not within a twentieth part of the market price." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Precisely." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." occurred." through." "What steps will you take?" I asked. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "In heaven's name, what for?" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared and prosperity to your house. Good-night." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "It is very clear." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Then you may entirely rely on me." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. of." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "None." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the careless servant girl?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch be sorry for having acted so harshly." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. of the way of danger. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for derbies." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "'Certainly,' I answered. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional the little opening for the ventilator is." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove bed dies. Does not that strike you?" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly