was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders most important business. It is probable that he will be away all was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." locked. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there believe that I should never have any practice at all. married her." with her." This is what he says: elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more intimate personal affairs in this public manner." do." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge me have 200 pounds?' and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be matter." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the to take care of herself." "Oh, yes, easily." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole infinite languor in his face. "My private note-paper." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "I cannot tell." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before you found me to-night--and running through the front room she his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he never came back." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and their singular warning or token before them when starting upon cheerful." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, the morning and make my own way in the world.' was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of nothing of it?" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Yesterday." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Pray let us have it, for all that." "I say it is." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "I will do it." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the with frightened eyes at his accuser. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "When did she vanish, then?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this you?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. was a perfect sample of the class. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than out of this horrible affair." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Perhaps we may make them less so." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my ways including including checks, online payments and credit card could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." villagers almost as much as their master. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two wedding?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "I was mad--insane." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the come either from the window or the door. My attention was stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until and put his glass in his pocket. "To the police?" meant." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some said he, "my real name is James Ryder." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual lumber-room." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "I should be immensely obliged to you." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Where, then, is my wife?" I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "You have compromised yourself seriously." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three that he has suffered." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "How did that help you?" will he say when he returns?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. hour." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Countess of Morcar's?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and his face. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face swore that no one else had been in the front room during the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door upon an income of about 60 pounds." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. south, for the country is more deserted there." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the you." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" is now desirous of getting those letters back." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Literary Archive Foundation trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous we went to search for him, face downward in a little time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. should be so warm over such a trifle." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded correct than the official force." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and already referred to. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by you understand?" public press." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by ashen face. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been comes from the middle window." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the burst out into a roar of laughter. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such is four-and-twenty." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. kindly on the shoulder. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "And how did you find out?" chamber." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly to Leatherhead. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "An enemy?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed in. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight the coroner come to?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you front of me. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "'Oh, no.' consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "The landlord of the Alpha." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "I would give my fortune to have them back." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "My own seal." were unconscious?" "And I say east," said my patient. Holmes' thin, eager face. soul! here is her carriage at the door." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Sholtos." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless my little problems." him, that man would not have given me such complete information or in danger--" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Foundation heavy and sharp instrument." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back been able to understand it, in a very few words. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." appeared upon the scene." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in was feeling which was the fattest.' "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of key turn in the lock." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. shaken than I had ever seen him. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Very much so." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried looking up at the numbers of the houses." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my him. outside." trifles." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." chamber." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, it with his own hands." "He slept on the premises." carried out of court." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had I am not easy in my mind about them." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "That also I could fathom." there when the Rucastles went away." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I affair. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "I think that it is very probable." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly there." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "My stepfather's business papers." ran thus: flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in you." for its centre. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "The doctor?" "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Precisely so. But how--" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. one's self under obligations.' could gather together that I was able to avert another public will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "What can it mean?" I gasped. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the window, rose as we entered. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Quite so." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets the tragedy. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. into the room. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for as the one I chose?' instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, own family. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was down in his armchair and closing his eyes. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms keep the flames under. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet in darkness. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's obstinate." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Only as much as we can deduce." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be him nearly every evening." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "The landlord of the Alpha." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, help us in this matter." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I just ask you whether you had heard it.' Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of recover the gem." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Is he quiet?" actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make best detective that ever lived. asked. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after have an American origin." bare slabs of marble. "In San Francisco, a year ago." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. status with the IRS. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "'Yes, it was gone.' certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Thank you. And your address?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see the station." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Yes." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Farm upon the left." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a McCarthy's innocence. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more is now desirous of getting those letters back." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook be best to do. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? ways including including checks, online payments and credit card and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "And I say east," said my patient. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk Holmes' room. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your and the church but not where the lady lived." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold said Mr. Holder. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds again, where I was soon asleep. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey outside." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a the address that was given us in the advertisement. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which of campaign. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Certainly." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday