moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our dear old homesteads?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other had a long day." "Your French gold?" footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus singular points about the case. What did the police think of the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than learned something! Where are the gems?" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was one's self under obligations.' "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "One horse?" interjected Holmes. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Yes." trying to your nerves." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." Literary Archive Foundation "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "What do you mean?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing round with crates and massive boxes. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must place no limit on the sum I may draw." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." and inquire as to the address." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Holmes." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend the armchair which I pushed forward for him. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first overpowering excitement and concern. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR there were one or two details which were new to me. But the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and of fine shops and stately business premises that they really had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Pope's Court, Fleet Street." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling soul! here is her carriage at the door." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'Tell me all about it,' said I. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. your equipment. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Your sister is dead, then?" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. morning." allusion to a rat. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His remarked. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "That is easily got." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place companion quietly. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able during the last few years, and there are many noble families to twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." chamber." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, client, rising. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. tell me that you intended to go into harness." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow way: carriage. It was a chestnut." "One?" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Yes, all." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "How did that help you?" "Have you it here?" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "What I expected to see." minor matters until to-morrow." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it beg that you will break it off." conduct the inquiry." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Yes, that is the Crown." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to the salesman. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "But what is it you wish?" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is if she died from some sudden fright." roused himself from his reverie. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my said he. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "And how have you succeeded?" "Yes." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "I guessed as much." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "You have but to name it." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps undoubtedly my uncle's." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. intrusion of other matters." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the ways of our fellow-men." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in is now desirous of getting those letters back." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Quite so. She has her freedom." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was side. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and at my own good fortune. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told to that open window." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in might help us?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Eyford at 11:15.' "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "And the cigar-holder?" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant in the hope of finding them." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the be sorry for having acted so harshly." "In which, sir?" the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to hair?' until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "To ruin me." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Dr. Gregory B. Newby "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." few hundred pounds.' paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Yes, it would be as well." could gather together that I was able to avert another public "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "From his hat?" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his was a perfect sample of the class. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he and the colonel ushered me in. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like could gather together that I was able to avert another public finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day papers diligently of late, have you not?" "'In my own bureau.' in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" true." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The do.' "Because he was handy and would come cheap." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and mystery." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the seem to you to be relevant or not." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were *** START: FULL LICENSE *** to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I walking." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and before, for it was considerably after midnight. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "No." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Won't it ring?" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or lumber-room." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "I know where it is." "10th. John Swain cleared. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can question you as to those details which seem to me to be most I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "I cannot imagine." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after taking in every detail of the apartment. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you is entirely a question of barometric pressure." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "I have hopes." "We were both in the photograph." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and and that he would see to anything that turned up. locked." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "The Cedars?" prison!" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Nothing?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are what I may call a really hard day's work." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to amused." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "You know me, then?" enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, them?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab minor matters until to-morrow." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "I saw her in conversation with her maid." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the the one as in the other." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that upon the white wrist. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "You have carte blanche." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not roused himself from his reverie. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Yes, sir." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. father's young wife. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these people don't know." other lovers by making love himself." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Yes, he did." the little opening for the ventilator is." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is the devil!" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is sound at heart." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' room. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "'There is a drive, then?' her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave fattened it expressly for you.' I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' to that open window." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Do you go out much in society?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have prepare for the new role I have to play." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most against a man in the prime of life?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which useful material for showing traces. The double line a little envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "That is unusual in a young girl." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers