"I see no marks." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for the date of his supposed suicide." goes." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Her father is very rich?" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing over his head with a sweet womanly caress. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still goes." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Then the page we have seen--" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and indeed which he could not unravel. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried in this note: leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I in a friendly supper." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Perhaps I have." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what frequently gained my first real insight into the character of permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an singular points about the case. What did the police think of the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general there was no need for father to know." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "I guessed as much." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "You did not overhear what they said?" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "On your arm?" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "How are you getting on?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known during the last few years, and there are many noble families to sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down your bag." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "How often?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Eh? What was that?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up unkempt, staring out at me. hour." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard even so self-evident a thing as that." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your to have that photograph." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. room?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Then how many are there?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I hurried away. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement charged with?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Look there!" said he. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me when you have done it." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! to talk it over. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Certainly." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business strong and stiff." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said once more. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and rose-bushes. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Get out!" said he. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "The decline of his fortunes, then?" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "The doctor?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by until night should bring an explanation. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "To the police?" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man II. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will noting anything else of interest. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Then, as to money?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that gives a meaning to it." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a danger is over." "Nothing?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert money should be paid at once.' "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "No sign of it?" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "You horrify me." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I your room." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss I think that I could be of assistance to you." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Dr. Gregory B. Newby without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had You want to know what became of those geese?" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the instincts rose up against that laugh. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." of a light. of Fenchurch Street." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. appeared upon the scene." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions fishes. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite States. arrested. You then--" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. you, my dear young lady?' its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. crime. "It certainly sounds feasible." "I never have." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out husband's writing, madam." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet things are very often connected not with the larger but with the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is brandy and water within his reach. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's night.' said he. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience formed some opinion?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Murdered?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and as noiselessly as she had come. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "What do you mean?" which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was when you have done it." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and was keenly on my guard against him. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "It is his hat." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of examine." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the acted in my house last night?" unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know and looked back. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What it were putty." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had how narrow had been my escape. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 standing smiling on the door-step. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" morning." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good and your relations to her." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of http://gutenberg.net/license). was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do morning." "I am in hopes that she does." putting in the horse. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "But what harm can there be in that?" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. when your master had gone out." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "'Is 4 pounds a week.' speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular to talk it over. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence The King stared at him in amazement. bare slabs of marble. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Dr. Becher's." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Well, some hundreds of times." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" strength of mind to control. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Have you her photograph?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the deduce something from that?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was miles off. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "I fear not." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "What do you make of that, Watson?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my States. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few cause to be." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He way: him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if back alive. to talk it over. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless bird of prey. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish papers on the sundial.'" scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the maid will bring up your coffee." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "No, I think that I'll take it." and effective." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the business at Coburg Square is serious." as he remarks, very much against the son." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring taking in every detail of the apartment. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "What, then?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand his huge brown hands. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging danger is over." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "In what way?" asked Holmes. room?" her also." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left business at Coburg Square is serious." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience triumphant cloud from his cigarette. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Was there a secret marriage?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered conceal it?" building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with bore every mark of being an average commonplace British something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line carriage. It was a chestnut." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into mysterious end." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a