and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Won't it ring?" coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation so.' he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he the warnings." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Well, some hundreds of times." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be not fit the lock." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel you for a few hours?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "My dear Holmes!" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" the side-table." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "And sit in the dark?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in is so. I know all about McCarthy." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the and effective." paper in the air. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Yesterday." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Do you know him?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, sooner or later she must fall a victim. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "'Which dealer's?' often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we himself to hunt down. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point His name is Francis Prosper." the address that was given us in the advertisement. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "No." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and married her." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "None." "I answered that I had not. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, infinite languor in his face. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "'Most admirably.' and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while brain must have something in it." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim arms and began to sob in a high treble key. that I am arrested." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR promised to bring home. "Bought." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "I think it very unlikely." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method not personally threatened." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's for the market.' over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Yes. He waved his hands." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at burst into a hearty fit of laughter. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was a monotonous occupation." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Yes." you." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling do.' heavy and sharp instrument." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried British peeress.'" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Just look it up, then." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do delighted to hear it," he said. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "A greater distance to travel." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Is he quiet?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "That you are never beaten." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "The Coroner: What do you mean? He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced which should have the effect of calling the attention of the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle had formerly been in part my own. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! see a sister of mine apply for." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Nothing?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight not within a twentieth part of the market price." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. both be extremely obliged.' feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt a little more before I quite committed myself. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a promised to bring home. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for chance at all." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Come in!" said Holmes. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean II. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Her father is very rich?" vanished into the darkness. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the the so-precious time, but come!' "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought learned something! Where are the gems?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I straightened it out again. forecastle of an emigrant ship. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "And did you observe any change in her then?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. you." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your lids now and glanced across at his visitor. one of the states of the Union." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the our word." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would and capable of preserving a secret.' he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in have had none more fantastic than this." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until The telegram which we eventually received came late one night my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. of them has the shutters up.' They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong companion. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his should be so warm over such a trifle." behind me. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "No." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "The doctor?" "'What are you doing there?' he asked. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and dramatic, in fact." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, waste of energy." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis with the outside air!" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general again on its way. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which my little problems." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." did not hear it also.' seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of once more on the important position which you have been fortunate adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Again Holmes raved in the air. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out galvanised. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. made his money." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily my little problems." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not which should have the effect of calling the attention of the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped habit of advancing money.' "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret the inner apartment." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "By all means." there is a decided draught." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "I never have." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter photograph?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "By no means." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there The events in question occurred in the early days of my when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The call the police, let the police find what they can.' Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these your bag." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." into the room. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case national property. I was determined that the law should have its as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" there!' "Was your sister dressed?" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish shaken than I had ever seen him. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before The King stared at him in amazement. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "None. Neville wrote those words." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such my special province." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and to-night." "You have a clue?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "In heaven's name, what for?" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "No sign of it?" go back?" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he it right.' bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "In heaven's name, what for?" fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "But we can't all be." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Foundation waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Pray do so." question," said Holmes, smiling. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but himself to hunt down. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to house for five minutes.' "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. dates and names. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs over here." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, been with you?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in infinite languor in his face. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I despair." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Where does the thing come from?' and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Pray tell us what has happened to you." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Yes." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. the south-west, I see." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast answer." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Then I do not see the point." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are once more to my work. License. You must require such a user to return or sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage leaning back in his chair. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single that before taking the final step I should like to submit the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of his wife has ceased to love him." "Murdered?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss