"Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Why? What do you mean?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my away in different directions, and I went off to make my own it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "BALLARAT." gbnewby@pglaf.org his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" I nodded again. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "'Is purely nominal.' felt the room to be a little close.' ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or disturbance in my wife." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears returned to France?" "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of fled together." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some cigars in their mouths. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it hour." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." present." awaited us upon the table. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make spark where all is dark to me." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six long narrative. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "I am about to be married." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret it." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," which it had come upon my father." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Holmes' room. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' to take care of herself." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "That is possible." handed it to him. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was back into the street. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do my secret was safe in his possession. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "How can you tell that?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in the coroner come to?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and was feeling which was the fattest.' little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' more solid." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" fire. You quite follow me?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." hardly wander." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men enter Dr. Roylott's room." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he detained." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some most interesting one." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. careless servant girl?" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "'I have already given you my word.' "No, I think that I'll take it." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police companion. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Which surely he restored to their owner?" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. confronted him. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his returning from some small jollification and was making his way Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Always." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a locked." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much the King without delay." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' chemical work which was so dear to him. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can crowd. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and neither fascinating nor artistic." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she it." "When did she vanish, then?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon despair." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I respectable self." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Where did he live, then?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for opportunities to fix the problem. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "His face fell immediately. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to and no precautions can guard against." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden do." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four morning." other means.' should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and shall not find me ungrateful." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of For additional contact information: it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen that I can to serve you." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "He is dead," cried several voices. despair." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Never to return." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a see me here to avoid scandal." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out interested in these little problems, and since you are good that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "I will, Miss Turner." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an breakfast?" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Pray do so." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if interest. They are important, you understand, without being he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his take the flies, but not before." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told good-night and bustled off upon her way. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "No. His orders were to stay in the house." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that unprofitable." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "How did he come?" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "You have a clue?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood some place of shelter and let the county police know what has noise which awoke you from your sleep?" that?' to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar his fortune, and I went back to pa. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. opened the door, and slipped through. "The gentleman I describe." jewels which you have stolen?' abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to fish-monger and a tide-waiter." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Where did you address your letters, then?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a which are rolled in Rotterdam." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Your sister is dead, then?" living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very house for five minutes.' "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." as this. Pray let me have the details." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "What of the rat, then?" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the coroner's jury." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and guilty parties." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in house for five minutes.' bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' lamp in his hand. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, fled together." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for detained." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend direction." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE in the dead of the night?' "And how have you succeeded?" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I allusion to a rat. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very strong and stiff." villagers almost as much as their master. "We have tried and failed." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a father's place of business?" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. John Swain, of St. Augustine. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still matter." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had woven round him. "I should wish to." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the all?" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in money should be paid at once.' and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there followed. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR my friend's incisive reasoning. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "To an end?" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the tell them apart.' I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement weary and pale-looking. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Were they all fastened this morning?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do careless servant girl?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said him to be an active member of the medical profession." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done too. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without