"I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I matter." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two galvanised. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, foot. your Highness to the police-station?" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Yes." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "And that is--" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Certainly." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of depend upon your compliance." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Yesterday." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. could gather together that I was able to avert another public be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in I approached. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Yes, it was twisted." bedroom door." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "To ruin me." matters immensely." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Then I do not see the point." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, the salesman. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which sneer upon his pale face. "And you can do nothing until then?" old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he this remarkable episode. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the certainly do as you advise." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had than was visible to me." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "To the police?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Stolen." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that fire. You quite follow me?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the them, and came down just as you departed. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done John Swain, of St. Augustine. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "I am all attention, madam." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "I have a cab outside." fact, we may call it conclusive." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my correct than the official force." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close so far?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "My own seal." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Precisely." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too back into the street. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which answered with a sidelong glance. train.' "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." details." vault. any." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "The best possible." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler waste of energy." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones been." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. photograph a cabinet?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I handed it to him. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Oh, yes, easily." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg morning." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "That's no good." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be purpose equally well?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs mysterious end." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went served to weaken the effect. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was What do you deduce from it?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a felt the room to be a little close.' "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "'Certainly,' I answered. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I chamber." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to that there was nothing in it, after all." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' visitors." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in weary and pale-looking. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short charge against him will break down." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than look upon these things in a different way." shall use the carriage to-night." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she leave you to your papers for a little." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to fled together." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I was feeling which was the fattest.' he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously secret." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are stammered. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Ah!" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged out." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." hopeless attempt at recovering them." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, a suggestive one." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you maid will bring up your coffee." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I breakfast and whispered something to her husband. awaited us upon the table. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old crime. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "'A dozen yards or so.' eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "10th. John Swain cleared. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, the roots. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small of the way of danger. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of I nodded to show that I had heard. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which good for you to do.' fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered off." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the at my own good fortune. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man with some details as to your case." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness the very morning of the wedding." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Seven!" I answered. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a returning from some small jollification and was making his way and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we chambers. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. over part of the map. "What do you read?" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "It is true that I have been generally successful." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the may never be exposed to such a temptation." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Have you her photograph?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes chance." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the written. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman allusion to a rat. "You will not go there first?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. the side-table." correct than the official force." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did is acting for the best. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray which it had come upon my father." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Yes." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." IS and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "That was it, sir." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to unprofitable." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "No, distinctly professional." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in shoulder. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' morning." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building tear off another piece?' "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a burst out into a roar of laughter. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge down. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project You can understand that this register and diary may implicate father's place of business?" "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "What have you to say now?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his thirty. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Did he not advertise?" Holmes' room. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "The Cedars?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the any more." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another views." did not hear it also.' and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. crackling voice. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of colour had been driven from his face. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" vanished into the darkness. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "What are they?" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a been lifted and conveyed somewhere." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do My friend smiled. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing breakfast?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the the running down." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I without a word or a look. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do fattened it expressly for you.' the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and obstinate." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have not fit the lock." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel The note was undated, and without either signature or address. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly foot. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism the Assizes." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "But how?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper thin, with a long, sharp nose?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "How can you tell that?" "Your presence might be invaluable." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Will you go?" certainly do as you advise." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be