from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Nothing?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "My opinion is in no way altered." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of opened the door, and slipped through. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little affection." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "I don't believe it." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan colonel looking down at me. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of congenial hunt. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness this remarkable episode. eat it." indiscretion." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat as noiselessly as she had come. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "What then?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow from the brougham. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He companion. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of galvanised. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Holmes, the busybody!" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads go--none." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "He is dead," cried several voices. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has of." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done look dissatisfied." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it four million human beings all jostling each other within the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was death." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." I leave." "Not yet." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the be.' it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Game for a morning drive?" fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "If so, much may have happened between." "You horrify me." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be dear old homesteads?" landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "No." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such suspect him." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Did he not advertise?" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "It is no ordinary one." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look trifles." "Seven!" I answered. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "We were both in the photograph." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and grasp, he hurried from the room. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a little trying to do so much typewriting?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater past. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" McCarthy." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one into her hand at the door and which lured her within their on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "'I have already given you my word.' "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition go--none." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, have accepted such a situation. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "You horrify me!" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we appointment with me for six o'clock?" I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" himself in a perplexing position. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "No, thank goodness, she did not." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy now. It seems that there had been some informality about their something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "To an end?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I in his hands." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Who was the criminal, then?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not persecution?" written, and locked the door of the office after me. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of with her." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "The vanishing of the lady." himself. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an sit on the left-hand side of the driver." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect forecastle of an emigrant ship. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and affair. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "'Where could I find him?' "I have a cab outside." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "It missed him, then?" bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand letters?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "And how did he make his money?" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Where, indeed?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Where did he live, then?" air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it became a certainty. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." door?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a newspaper selections." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was furiously. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "How did he come?" akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project vague figure huddled up in the darkness. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I chance at all." know what is wrong with it.' we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a information in his hands the value of which he did not himself wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Of what?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable business?" I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Ten will be early enough." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Nothing?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Of what day?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Where, indeed?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have even so self-evident a thing as that." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "'And what are they worth?' I asked. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "But how will you look?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "This concluded the examination of the witness." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his mystery." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. second." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In words came to my lips. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "And for present expenses?" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "But he might be a bachelor." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; again, where I was soon asleep. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "'No, I know no one in these parts.' cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose fatally injured? A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been digesting their breakfasts at home." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first a few minutes he said that it would be all right. call it cruel." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own delirious. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the started for the Temple to see my husband. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she than to us. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate hurried away. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. sooner or later she must fall a victim. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the whatever might befall. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with developed." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we is acting for the best. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his You want to know what became of those geese?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but question. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project my former friend and companion. delirious. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less the one as in the other." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "'Never,' said I. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." eavesdroppers?' I approached. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Will you bet, then?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Eh? What was that?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the what these perils are?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no she to prove their authenticity?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "'Stolen!' he cried. "No, thank goodness, she did not." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last the house with me." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from hour?' I shall communicate with you." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had families. Now for the facts. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he upon the white wrist. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the examine." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, know what is wrong with it.' the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little and all of them with the keenest interest. ready to-morrow?' "Yes." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "And on what day did he meet his death?" directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he trifles." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "I was mad--insane." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, instituted." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that will he say when he returns?" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and not come at once?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "My opinion is in no way altered." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King and capable of preserving a secret.' the date of his supposed suicide." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "What! Had he lost his wife?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, handed it to him. "How many? I don't know." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a key turn in the lock." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are brandy and water within his reach. him!" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it himself to hunt down. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." one's self under obligations.' could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he recall any case within my experience which looked at the first her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out