taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which was a lad." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "None." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was acted in my house last night?" him, that man would not have given me such complete information battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Your sister is dead, then?" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a meant it for the best. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "But how did you gain them?" computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been ways of our fellow-men." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably them?" once more for Briony Lodge. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall Holmes rather sternly. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "'Very good.' could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "By no means." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "No, but the enclosure is." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in wedding?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "How about poison?" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before more solid." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so like gravel from a pit.' whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in character. entirely lost his self-respect." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who meant." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away of a light. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "And how did you find out?" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "The decline of his fortunes, then?" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. it. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Texas, I think." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting gbnewby@pglaf.org "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "By all means." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a breakfast and whispered something to her husband. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR I have it here in my museum." "And the murderer?" "And on what day did he meet his death?" "By no means." hardly wander." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with all?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "To an end?" narrative." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Was he the only applicant?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." could go. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project fear." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "You think so, too?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "And how in the world did you find them?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." vault. "What of the rat, then?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the when you have done it." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The of Fenchurch Street." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." his face. him." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the served to weaken the effect. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment the coronet in his hand?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be hour." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Where does the thing come from?' of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are the armchair which I pushed forward for him. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in forecastle of an emigrant ship. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." trifles." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, perplexity from it to my illustrious client. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." me. You must get home instantly and act." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Then the page we have seen--" the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "9th. McCauley cleared. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "This photograph!" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back he died? I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "They are typewritten," I remarked. "And your mother is alive?" into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "If so, much may have happened between." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your in my life." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Never." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" locked." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the his huge brown hands. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress to affect your life." wedding?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, to arrive at through this?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Which are?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, prison!" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the looking up at the numbers of the houses." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion strong and stiff." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Miss Holder?" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone of his shoulders. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his the matter?" is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of cup of tea. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." room had already been engaged for us. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Only as much as we can deduce." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' beg that you will break it off." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "I will try. What is it?" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "That is possible." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been trying to your nerves." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I which are rolled in Rotterdam." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "How did he come?" Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see You can understand that this register and diary may implicate which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "I know where it is." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced to Leatherhead. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe rose-bushes. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "But what harm can there be in that?" since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the in a friendly supper." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is room. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my this man was intellectual?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Nearly eleven." "I was sure that I might rely on you." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "But she could not love him." started for the Temple to see my husband. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Well, but China?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family tied." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the very morning of the wedding." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, upon a handsome competence. even so self-evident a thing as that." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical me, and I could not think that his explanation of the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "When did she vanish, then?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Oh, yes, easily." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "I warn you that they are very incomplete." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set experiences." footfalls from the street. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "How did you trace it, then?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." to-night." "So I have heard." which was all perfectly true. if she died from some sudden fright." asked with his eyes open. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Witness: It was. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "But to whom?" are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two stood on the top of it. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "'Most admirably.' the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "The landlord of the Alpha." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this quickly through a disagreeable task. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and points to suicide?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that imbecility!" he cried. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight where Mr. Fordham shows you.' advice." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "That is it on the dressing-table." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading into the room. extraordinary contortions. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call cheerful." "About a month then." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "But I have heard all that you have heard." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very disappearance of the bride.'" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment must compliment you." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." the stable lane now." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with matter." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock which are rolled in Rotterdam." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid in my life." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I whether it answered to the description of any of their where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having