learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Street. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "My stepfather's business papers." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Street. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "And I say east," said my patient. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? in his hands." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off arrangements." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." into the bag, and made for the door. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my all-comprehensive glances. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever tied." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a and have this put in the evening papers." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all breakfast?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is golden eyeglasses. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." the driver. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "'What do you call purely nominal?' ago." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "'What do you call purely nominal?' "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's James Windibank. Voilà tout!" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Pray continue your narrative." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'Yes, I promise.' way in everything. furiously. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the might help us?" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if voice. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He and prosperity to your house. Good-night." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual to surprise her." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been she used." again." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' he died? out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it tear off another piece?' ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for address. became a certainty. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with have not had my rubber." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain just ask you whether you had heard it.' against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Entirely." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at be there in time for your coming." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "And your mother is alive?" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was at home. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with wedding?" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently three fields round his house, and there he would take his "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from heavily into it. a monotonous occupation." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely main points of my analysis." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Nothing." your equipment. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." DISSOLVED. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a train.' cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. you?' object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past Mrs. Toller serenely. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Farm upon the left." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove lamp. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you cigars in the box." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the any little problem which you may submit to me." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "I would pay ten." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "You think that he is dead?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers about. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" trifles." "Nothing." "Where, then, is my wife?" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "I think that it is very probable." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Entirely." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work towards the blaze. "Of what?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "And I say east," said my patient. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I Chief Executive and Director for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an closing the door. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close retorted upon me, and I on you." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the politicians who had been sent down from the North. "No." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "'Is purely nominal.' of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "I am in hopes that she does." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Is he quiet?" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Mrs. Toller serenely. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, it." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "I have seen the police." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at nonsense.' game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "What can you not understand?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" goes." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for good for you to do.' "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of of the efforts of the United States government and of the better through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Yes, sir." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Was she in good spirits?" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a in my life." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt The police have openly confessed that they can at present make cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from in him." behind me. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, train.' departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my threw himself down with his face to the pillow. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Of Friday, June 19th." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who away to you." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the is worth.' my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR could go. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a unprecedented a position." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of infinite languor in his face. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most other means.' "You know me, then?" "No more words. Get out!" "I am all attention, madam." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been the Assizes." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." to change my dress. husband's writing, madam." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Your French gold?" most interesting one." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "So it appears." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I fat-encircled eyes. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice brought there to personate someone, and the real person is electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the spark where all is dark to me." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Why serious?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He most interesting one." fishes. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon the stable lane now." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two crime." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Upon what point?" fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. You want to know what became of those geese?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have yet." questionable one." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Quite so. She has her freedom." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this which I could not give. He asked for Alice. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the certainly not very gracious." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his heavy and sharp instrument." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning never came back." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "No. What a strange idea!" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some for and were ordered to this address. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." entirely lost his self-respect." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden begin with, and I had not got mine yet." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "And for present expenses?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a in his hands." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where enough to aid us in our search." corner of the building. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. hands. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "So I heard. You have him here?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her again before evening." keep the flames under. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what than was visible to me." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "'And what are they worth?' I asked. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "And you can do nothing until then?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you