opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "It was an hour's good drive." make me his representative both with the servants and with the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the companion imperturbably. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' spark where all is dark to me." "'I have already given you my word.' "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." rooms." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "It is to him that this trophy belongs." appointment with me for six o'clock?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need putting in the horse. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He might have a private word with us. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Why? What do you mean?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Yes, that is the Crown." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has again." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." During two years I have had three consultations and one small back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "'And the work?' all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things unprecedented a position." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "I should like to see him very much." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Pray do so." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was true." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right a very grave face. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual You want to know what became of those geese?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the me upon any point which I do not make clear." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been it? Did I buy the geese off you?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and such attractions and accomplishments?' problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the at my own good fortune. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred populous neighbourhood." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "On Monday." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner be.' in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Nothing?" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the and wait." and looked back. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection morning." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance think that he is innocent?" admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that call the police, let the police find what they can.' "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "How often?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "I have solved it." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Yes." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open prisoner's face. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a round with crates and massive boxes. "Yes, all." think that he is innocent?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting awkward doing business with an alias." seven miles from Eyford Station.' very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers bird of prey. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in particular state visit http://pglaf.org "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his words came to my lips. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little of Mr. Rucastle's." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a to-night?" I asked. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work said I. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but records." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. dramatic, in fact." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom in darkness. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out chamber." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained plantation.' "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole not fit the lock." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his fasten all the windows?" "Then I do not see the point." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the have accepted such a situation. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to following enigmatical notices: Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "I don't believe it." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. will he say when he returns?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "No, I am descending." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it questioning and rather startled gaze. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or conduct the inquiry." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "'And what are they worth?' I asked. but preventing her from injuring another. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key know what is wrong with it.' adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "We must have a cab." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. this Miss Turner." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried McCarthy's innocence. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "From his hat?" "Really! You surprise me." Does that suggest anything?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "A greater distance to travel." "That's no good." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "That is possible." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' made his money." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Then you may entirely rely on me." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "So I heard. You have him here?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "'Yes, I promise.' the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, that?' silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set address. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, posted to-day." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near points in connection with it which never have been, and probably gigantic client. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater fishes. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing politicians who had been sent down from the North. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a a suggestive one." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "If I can be of use." the running down." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. forecastle of an emigrant ship. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your time." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I what these perils are?" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here instincts rose up against that laugh. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had strength in the others." ourselves in the office." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "To an English lawyer named Norton." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by But Holmes shook his head gravely. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Have you her photograph?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Serpentine Avenue. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "What do you mean?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Certainly." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had compunction about shooting them down." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in one which it was hard to resist. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, peculiar to him. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm McCarthy." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a breakfast?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom shall not find me ungrateful." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my things are very often connected not with the larger but with the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin them?" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can said he. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "She will not sell." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door things are very often connected not with the larger but with the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Yes?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. developed." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a own family. brandy and water within his reach. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" seem to you to be relevant or not." had picked up in the wood. very old mansion. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what shall not find me ungrateful." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable again on its way. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "In the cells." nothing of it?" End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to to his chemical studies. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you grasp, he hurried from the room. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever discontent upon his features. both be extremely obliged.' "Have you her photograph?" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. the night.' "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred of them has the shutters up.' "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Not him." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him him to be an active member of the medical profession." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a some water from a caraffe. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "'I am sure that I do not know.' "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I stalked out of the room. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with disturbance in my wife." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "What steps will you take?" I asked. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making national property. I was determined that the law should have its Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Certainly." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though Edgeware Road. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the tapping his fingers upon the table. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Your French gold?" "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "What shall I do?" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I man. "The decline of his fortunes, then?"