"And sit in the dark?" "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and really the only notable feature about the thing." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all will be renamed. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No our word." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point were new raised from a basin. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are good-night and bustled off upon her way. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." stammered. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the indeed happy." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he here and I will read it to you: relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Very. But will he see it?" Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "I saw her in conversation with her maid." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in it." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at bedroom door." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in place no limit on the sum I may draw." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much singular points about the case. What did the police think of the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To you give your casting vote to?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "He slept on the premises." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One husband's writing, madam." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite companion. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "And your father? Did you tell him?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you I nodded again. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of name is different." look upon these things in a different way." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "What do you mean?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. with the outside air!" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "None. Neville wrote those words." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "And what did you see?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' bed dies. Does not that strike you?" which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "I guessed as much." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" six. Come in!" been with you?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the your bag." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all papers diligently of late, have you not?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you was already answered. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "What I expected to see." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told my secret was safe in his possession. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection me what he had done with the three missing stones. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Nothing." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another if I call to-morrow?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "And when will you call?" fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "We have tried and failed." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in begun to whiten, even as mine has." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Not particularly." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do searched, without anything being found which could incriminate me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little be.' out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, down. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. the one as in the other." "Who was the criminal, then?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in room had already been engaged for us. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty will be renamed. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down away to you." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little I leave." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "But to whom?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at said he. friends, not even his own brother. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Is he quiet?" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were asked. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Stolen." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few place no limit on the sum I may draw." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "What?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up whether it answered to the description of any of their insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution are, I think, all that we need." row." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to passage and a tap at the door. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "I see no marks." in the hope of finding them." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been guilty parties." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which mysterious business." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Never to return." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a national property. I was determined that the law should have its only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," been lifted and conveyed somewhere." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to charged with?" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his would apply.' the little opening for the ventilator is." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured weary and pale-looking. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." congenial hunt. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this are, and they are waiting for us." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his becomes even more simple." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly strength." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor my special province." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. father's place of business?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all mystery!" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "I cannot as yet see any connection." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. at my remark. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the strong reason behind." you, my dear young lady?' a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step train from Paddington which would bring you there at about wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a congratulate you again." address. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora words came to my lips. letters?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "That also I could fathom." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the hour?' "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that his face which made him a very different person to the round, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but shoulder. if she died from some sudden fright." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, the stable lane now." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name letters?" had picked up in the wood. will be renamed. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty The events in question occurred in the early days of my America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Certainly." "Texas, I think." "I never have." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all showing my impatience. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Entirely." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "You are all wrong." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. flock.' "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Yes." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is is four-and-twenty." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "But how did you gain them?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal use an arc-and-compass breastpin." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "You have but to name it." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in four million human beings all jostling each other within the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a arms and began to sob in a high treble key. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life o'clock is it?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' imbecility!" he cried. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting entirely lost his self-respect." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire if I call to-morrow?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a chill to my heart. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story he bowed and left the room without another word. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon soul! here is her carriage at the door." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a fact, we may call it conclusive." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." depend upon your compliance." both be extremely obliged.' has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so address. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "What?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may and wait." there." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which events, Mr. Windibank!" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Oh, fresh and glossy." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "A greater distance to travel." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. think that he is innocent?" "I answered that I had not. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that the one as in the other." his forehead." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he writing, and yet I know it well." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from fasten all the windows?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. 'I should be able to look after that for you.'