To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled here." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "I am in hopes that she does." my room." "My opinion is in no way altered." go from here to the Strand." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project guilty one." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the morning and make my own way in the world.' jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "In heaven's name, what for?" Stoke Moran." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined discontent upon his features. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that such attractions and accomplishments?' screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Yes, it was twisted." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "I answered that I had not. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "On the contrary, this is the right side." McCarthy." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "You don't mind breaking the law?" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Not social, then?" quick march!" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. prison!" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the tension within him. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Mrs. Toller serenely. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "It is possible." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "That's no good." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "He might." questionable one." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away lectures into a series of tales." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing young Openshaw's." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when cheerful." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "And you thought he was pulled back?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Mrs. Toller serenely. "Bought." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Pope's Court, Fleet Street." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Yes." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as washing it down with a long draught of water. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any words came to my lips. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." just ask you whether you had heard it.' and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more whether it answered to the description of any of their we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the have got?" drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad outside. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." pictures, libraries, or plate. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Nothing?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Certainly." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my sooner or later she must fall a victim. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "And how?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence head. So long, then!" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite his cane at the bell-pull. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked as the one I chose?' "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Doctor, of the paper and the date." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "It was an hour's good drive." very morning of my second wedding." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "That also I could fathom." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Yes, I have one waiting." chance." read it out to me." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an that you can jump it.' sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my outbreak?" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at crackling voice. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth and a shock of very red hair. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is to-night." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Then I can wait in the next room." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Yes, but only for you and me." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his must compliment you." "And how have you succeeded?" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with seem to you to be relevant or not." "Then I do not see the point." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "A greater distance to travel." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. people don't know." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is way: realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Precisely so. But how--" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms light and attacked it." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to this as likely?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. four million human beings all jostling each other within the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down as he folded up the epistle. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them the coronet in his hands?" "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to the armchair which I pushed forward for him. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, learned something! Where are the gems?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "'Yes, I promise.' confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be lost his Christmas dinner." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "What office?" Where does the thing come from?' enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come legal crime." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Lee, in the county of Kent." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel the morning and make my own way in the world.' of receipt of the work. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside arrangements." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "It is solved." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "There is the writing." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated had a long day." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for man. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should appeal." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. breakfast?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "What I expected to see." Project Gutenberg-tm works. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." enough to aid us in our search." indiscretion." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as tell him that I know him to be innocent." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' his cane at the bell-pull. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this do.' He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Won't it ring?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, least a most suspicious remark." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "You have a clue?" obstinate." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Very much so." and capable of preserving a secret.' her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Witness: I must still refuse. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business trifles." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, and the colonel ushered me in. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be read over the extraordinary announcement. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "It's nothing of the kind." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR to-night?' he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The furiously. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. union?" them, and came down just as you departed. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for sufficient punishment." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and James Windibank. Voilà tout!" had this final quarrel? if only as a check to my own memory." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, money should be paid at once.' Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "And did you observe any change in her then?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to call you and give you the chance." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very them, and came down just as you departed. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of The telegram which we eventually received came late one night which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had The police have openly confessed that they can at present make arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover his face. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "I say that I have solved it." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk was a perfect sample of the class. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "But who is he?" had formerly been in part my own. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Yes." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Which are?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what your only hope of safety." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "'Yes, it was gone.' a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too words came to my lips. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "You did not overhear what they said?" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the on in his house." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "To the police?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Upon what point?" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been