than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had relief. furiously. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first it right.' feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love enter Dr. Roylott's room." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for was the fact that his father should, according to his account, steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid sooner or later she must fall a victim. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This whether it answered to the description of any of their its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and works. See paragraph 1.E below. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "The Cedars?" Holmes' room. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you not fit the lock." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he experiences." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he was it brought him the coronet? "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent delirious. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely memory. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who crowd. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "I cannot tell." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was careless servant girl?" face and glided from the room. of Fenchurch Street." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." read it out to me." "'Entirely.' previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly be. roused himself from his reverie. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering beg that you will break it off." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the wall." invisible to me," I remarked. and that he would see to anything that turned up. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a http://gutenberg.net/license). yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." have got?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay the side-table." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter details should find their way into the papers. Inspector out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. allusion to a rat. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and affair. "A confidential servant?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying eat it." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a ordinary clothes on?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "We must have a cab." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he over with notes and figures. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Why? What do you mean?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction to tell." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was you want, then?' from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of him." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the must be when I saw the door open.' We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "I warn you that they are very incomplete." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "None." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "You forget that I know nothing about it." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to impression behind it as though a window had gently closed I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, works. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" there when the Rucastles went away." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. hard-headed British jury." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "What can you not understand?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but manager. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It overpowering excitement and concern. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "And how did you verify them?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This and looked back. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but I. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his Street. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Pray tell us what has happened to you." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass DAMAGE. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving only touch the interest." from the brougham. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Dirty?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of back to my heart. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a purpose of examination. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one tear off another piece?' demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Very much so." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might that threaten you." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no this unhappy family?" see a sister of mine apply for." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "I have hopes." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Pray do so." tied." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR were unconscious?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Witness: I must still refuse. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of States. "The King of Scandinavia." the matter." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for pressing in one house as in another. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these you?" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "It surprised me." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." to-night's adventure." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Is he quiet?" shall not find me ungrateful." written. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed might have a private word with us. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her I leave." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted there!' gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it way in everything. look upon these things in a different way." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., which should have the effect of calling the attention of the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us a suggestive one." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Farm upon the left." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, is now desirous of getting those letters back." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' place of silver." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Holmes rather sternly. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce perplexity from it to my illustrious client. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "He is still with you, I presume?" of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Holmes. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "And I to find an enemy." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring all-comprehensive glances. "To the police?" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the to Leatherhead. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off think, you have already met." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could him." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always that you wished to speak to me?' grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. whereabouts. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely followed. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if address. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Well, it is a possible supposition." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "In San Francisco, a year ago." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "I will, Miss Turner." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' to a more successful conclusion." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was round with crates and massive boxes. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering acted in my house last night?" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue young Openshaw's." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black you?' were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "In which, sir?" about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, begun to whiten, even as mine has." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," simple cases which are so extremely difficult." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This Miss Holder?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. obstinate." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his begin with, and I had not got mine yet." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see colonel looking down at me. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." figure." interests were the same as his." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 I have it here in my museum." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful himself. you came in." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so posted to-day." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "I see many objections to any such theory." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the leaning back in his chair. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "It was a confession," I ejaculated. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "But who is he?" did not hear it also.' "It is his hat." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, this poor creature." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "On your arm?" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was thought that she would have been so carried away." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "What are they?" if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating all?"