abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is you understand?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that remarked. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, coat-tails." "What are they?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Thank you. Pray proceed." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must you in your example." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in Eyford at 11:15.' certainly not very gracious." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. know what is wrong with it.' Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled that?' Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than the very morning of the wedding." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing tell them apart.' direction." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "That is possible." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we foot. weary and pale-looking. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Awake, Watson?" he asked. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Entirely." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Two days later this same performance was gone through under error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive in the hope of finding them." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Really! You surprise me." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "His face fell immediately. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Pray continue your narrative." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. where we are going." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about long narrative. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their The summons was a brief and urgent one. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the even of instruction." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not lumber-room." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, made his money." again before evening." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the morning and make my own way in the world.' a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. in him." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper cheerful." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a the Assizes." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. depend upon my doing so.' despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "I am following you closely," I answered. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "And when will you call?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, orange pips. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide touch that coronet?' already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Doctor, of the paper and the date." help us in this matter." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' to arrive at through this?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "So I heard. You have him here?" surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about gone before you can get him to hospital." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Here?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the outsides of the windows. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "I should be immensely obliged to you." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King together. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. he died? "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Yes." the loss of it. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has newspaper selections." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the train.' in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Count Von Kramm." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay ashen face. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as matter." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his tail." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of have an American origin." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will charge against him will break down." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. License. You must require such a user to return or the very morning of the wedding." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the shall use the carriage to-night." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the certainly do as you advise." he died? 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that of Fenchurch Street." furiously. kindly on the shoulder. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "That is possible." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and bonnet, and went out." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "The decline of his fortunes, then?" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how breakfast?" weary and pale-looking. British peeress.'" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now my special province." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted did not hear it also.' tapping his fingers upon the table. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of true." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted as this. Pray let me have the details." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "I would pay ten." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come strength." been with you?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Yes, sir." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I details." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste photograph?" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he http://gutenberg.net/license). And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a what I may call a really hard day's work." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time residence of the great financier. tapping his fingers upon the table. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw all-comprehensive glances. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "That is it on the dressing-table." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Because he was handy and would come cheap." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "I beg pardon." bird of prey. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little will not take me long to tell. "Where, then?" that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker his face. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith out." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular on re-entering her father's house?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little weapon." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. room?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "How did you trace it, then?" Pope's Court. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "That was it, sir." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to out of this horrible affair." went to the Alpha were town bred." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great second window is the one that I jumped from." "No." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Where is it, then?" married her." wanted for ourselves." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would south, for the country is more deserted there." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing careless servant girl?" Serpentine Avenue. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this handed it to him. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "I know where it is." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Pope's Court. "There is the writing." brain must have something in it." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord up this clue while it is still hot." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, the matter?" "Get out!" said he. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in character. bill, which interests me deeply." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." see me here to avoid scandal." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" became a certainty. there in twenty minutes." "I have come for advice." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a one of the states of the Union." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "What office?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. happened." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, that?' this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "'Why that?' I asks. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he an introduction to him?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would hair?' of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "'Yes, I promise.' jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." you." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "About a month then." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly,