transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what already referred to. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where me, and I could not think that his explanation of the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel points to suicide?" an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the shoulder. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "I fear not." McCarthy's innocence. DISSOLVED. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with village inn over there?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the this unhappy family?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit at my own good fortune. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning you." with her." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off morning." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City conceal it?" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb dear old homesteads?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid your only hope of safety." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather note?" how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "How on earth--" and the whole place is in a blaze." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the tragedy. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and kind enough to tell me what I should do." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and vault. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" open." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would think that any burglar could have done. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "I will, Miss Turner." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce about here speaks of his kindness to him." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. see a sister of mine apply for." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just her also." business." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Did you become engaged then?" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." nonsense.' values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "I don't say that. Perhaps." trying to your nerves." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. tension within him. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "It is possible." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a ashen face. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the would then never go into court at all." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Because he was handy and would come cheap." will not take me long to tell. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was washing it down with a long draught of water. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of which it had come upon my father." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. off." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She chance." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "She showed me, as I told you she would." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions key turn in the lock." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Oh, fresh and glossy." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The something of him before." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without few hundred pounds.' "Then I shall certainly come." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "And how did you find out?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Perfectly so." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "This concluded the examination of the witness." empty. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "And how did he make his money?" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Dirty?" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be have established a very serious case against the son of the success. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "'In my own bureau.' made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Foundation long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "The King of Scandinavia." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." remarked. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though the matter?" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar daring than any effort of the imagination." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what only touch the interest." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less opened the door, and slipped through. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he forehead. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a meant." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. mystery." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as subject to the trademark license, especially commercial although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to that For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." and laid it on the table. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name joking. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "No bad?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my This is what he says: "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. events, Mr. Windibank!" Holmes." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Perfectly so." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "The vanishing of the lady." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. newspaper selections." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Tired-looking or fresh?" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! His smile broadened. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales papers." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Yes, I have one waiting." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with arrangements." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of I. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the ashen face. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "What I expected to see." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united been shamefully used." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "You know me, then?" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully cigars in the box." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the into the bag, and made for the door. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "No bad?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "And is that all?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so grasp, he hurried from the room. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will made his money." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into have got?" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the second window is the one that I jumped from." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Was she in good spirits?" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like morning." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. guilty one." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the legal crime." "A call for help, you thought?" distinguish the words: "I am still in the dark." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a me what he had done with the three missing stones. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "It is very clear." one of them." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See read it out to me." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. young Openshaw's." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every question," said Holmes, smiling. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you whereabouts. that you saw all that I did." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." advice." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." the one as in the other." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "I have my revolver," said I. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the in the dead of the night?' stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen laugh and put his lips to my ear. served to weaken the effect. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right persecution?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to you." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "That is not always so easy." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I towards the blaze. records." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, of the way of danger. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, our word." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a