a good hundred miles off by now." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." sneer upon his pale face. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Street. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "I am sure." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the prisoner's face. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." over with notes and figures. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. crime." "A call for help, you thought?" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He floor. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from confronted him. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the driver. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I papers." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it friend's singular character. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Then I can wait in the next room." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked up this clue while it is still hot." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own than to us. in the port of London." "That sounds a little paradoxical." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm and I shall be with you presently." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the too. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "'Certainly,' I answered. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an if I call to-morrow?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had hand, madam?" "She told me to ask you." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Precisely." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." like gravel from a pit.' that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "When did it break out?" "Nor running a chance of arrest?" used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of all?" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be daring than any effort of the imagination." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was crowd. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Never to return." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has I leave." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business triumphant cloud from his cigarette. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young the Assizes." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Holmes' face clouded over. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It when you have done it." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "None." "What! Had he lost his wife?" compunction about shooting them down." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A tension within him. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "No." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "It is very kind of you." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Will you go?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Of what day?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'Never.' suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "And your father? Did you tell him?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up words came to my lips. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come fishes. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Witness: I must still refuse. outside. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn cup of tea. "Come in!" said Holmes. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "I have seen the police." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of detained." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a that, and I came down." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out what I may call a really hard day's work." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "I warn you that they are very incomplete." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "What I expected to see." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. Clair, of Lee." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and to-morrow." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying must be when I saw the door open.' "What is it, then--a fire?" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds over here." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Have you her photograph?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided what these perils are?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day himself. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "I was sure that I might rely on you." I took the paper from him and read as follows: so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "And your mother is alive?" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "But to whom?" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Why serious?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now records." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what prepare for the new role I have to play." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. might help us?" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a chair. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "I am about to be married." results." Henry Baker is a member." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "How do you know, then?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, villagers almost as much as their master. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell upon the shelf for the interim." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple giving me time to thank him. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Of Friday, June 19th." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "No, thank goodness, she did not." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry present." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Do you receive much company?" he asked. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "I am to be neutral?" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down her also." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Will you bet, then?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in records." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All was a loud and authoritative tap. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a 'I should be able to look after that for you.' said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Not particularly." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at any." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace was feeling which was the fattest.' and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after yourselves in at night?" the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Yes." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Leadenhall Street--and--" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "I saw her in conversation with her maid." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every detained." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without horse could go." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as a good hundred miles off by now." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the not as remarkable as your advertisement." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you trifles." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but assist you in forming an opinion." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "So it appears." she to prove their authenticity?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "You are all wrong." "That is easily got." which we had just quitted. "I assure you that I am in your hands." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "But what is it you wish?" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body stepfather?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my over here." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the The King stared at him in amazement. such attractions and accomplishments?' "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Do you go out much in society?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" anything to do with the matter?" one of them." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand London for the present?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his happened." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in present strange and interesting features that it is no easy it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I chill to my heart. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "By train from Waterloo." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Surrey." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave quick march!" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, correct than the official force." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "'What would be the hours?' I asked. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without During two years I have had three consultations and one small was lame." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We sooner or later she must fall a victim. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "But you can know nothing of this?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "'And the work?' excitement. "Nearly eleven." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Certainly." "Who was the criminal, then?" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there south, for the country is more deserted there." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. the little opening for the ventilator is." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw society." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. interest. They are important, you understand, without being "When did she vanish, then?" all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' there was no need for father to know." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it train.' sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be his huge brown hands. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, correct than the official force." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "You were travelling in the States?" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had have been better. It is all right." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better